Primer launched projectile systems

ABSTRACT

Projectiles and projectile systems are provided herein employing an inhibiting and/or marking substance for impairing/marking a living target. In some embodiments, the systems include a primer only launched projectile system. The primer only launched projectile systems can include a shell, a primer, a propulsion shock damper and the projectiles. In some embodiments the systems can be used with standard shotguns or other standard guns. In some implementations, the primer can be a percussion or electrically activated primer. The propulsion shock damper is located within the shell such that a seal is formed between the propulsion shock damper and the shell casing. The relatively low kinetic projectiles are intended to be non-lethal, less than lethal or less lethal in nature, such that the projectiles impact a body with safe kinetics as not to penetrate the body in a lethal manner.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/560,847, filed Apr. 9, 2004, entitled PRIMER LAUNCHEDPROJECTILE SYSTEMS, which application is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a non-lethal projectile system and,more particularly to non-lethal projectiles that deliver an inhibitingand/or marking substance to a target, especially a living target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Steadily rising crime rates have led to an increased need fortechnologically enhanced crime devices. There is particularly a need fornon-lethal devices that are capable of at least temporarilyincapacitating, slowing or inhibiting a suspected criminal and/ormarking such individuals for later identification. As populationsincrease, the risk that a criminal will be surrounded by or in closeproximity to innocent persons when officers are trying to subdue him/heralso increases. Whereas non-permanently injuring an innocent bystander,while subduing a suspected criminal, is acceptable, killing thebystander is not. Also, homeowners or other individuals may desire ahome protection device without the risk of accidental injury associatedwith loaded firearms. Thus, there is great need for non-lethal (orless-than-lethal), highly effective weapons that may be used by officersand others to slow, stop and/or mark criminals. Presently available,non-lethal devices include, for example, stun guns, mace, tear gas,pepper spray devices and similar devices that impair the vision,breathing or other physical or mental capabilities of the target.

One attempt to provide a non-lethal device for delivering an inhibitingsubstance is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,614, issued to Fogelgren for aCOMPRESSED GAS OPERATED GUN HAVING VARIABLE UPPER AND LOWER PRESSURELIMITS OF OPERATION, which patent is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Fogelgren describes a gas-operated gun and associatedprojectiles. In one illustrated embodiment, a projectile consists of aprojectile casing that houses a structure in which a firing pin issituated so as to detonate a primary charge upon impact of theprojectile with a target. Deterioration of the primary charge causes theexpulsion of a load carried in a load chamber. The load chamber maycontain various types of load, such as tear gas, dye, flash-powder orwadding.

Disadvantageously, the projectiles described by Fogelgren, particularlythose projectiles described that would be suitable for delivering loadssuch as tear gas or dye, are complicated and expensive to manufacture.The embodiment employing pressurized gas to both expel the projectileand to expel the load upon impact with the target requires a greatamount of pressurized gas, that is, a sufficient quantity to both firethe projectile and to provide the portion of pressurized gas necessaryto ensure expulsion of the load. In addition, such embodiment requirescomplicated and tedious methods to manufacture components such as amicrominiature ball valve (through which the portion of the pressurizedgas enters the rear chamber upon firing), wax sealer within each of theplurality of apertures and a holding pin that must fall away from theprojectile in flight.

The embodiment employing the breakable glass vial is also complicated tomanufacture, because it also employs a holding pin that must fall awayduring the flight of the projectile and employs numerous structures thatmust be precisely fitted together to allow them to separate duringfiring and in flight. This embodiment also must be carefully handled sothat the breakable glass vial does not shatter while being handled bythe user. This can be particularly problematic, for example, when theFogelgren device is being used by a police officer in pursuit of afleeing criminal (or when used by a police officer threatened by asuspected criminal). Thus, significant room for improvement still existsin the development of non-lethal projectiles.

Another approach to providing non-lethal projectiles for delivering aninhibiting substance to a living target is suggested in U.S. Pat. No.5,254,379, issued to Kotsiopoulos, et al., for a PAINT BALL, whichpatent is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TheKotsiopoulos, et al., device is directed primarily to a paint ballprojectile for delivering a load (or blob) of paint to a target, and forexpelling the blob of paint onto the target upon impact. The paint ballshown by Kotsiopoulos, et al. consists of a shell that fractures in apredetermined pattern upon impact with a target.

The Kotsiopoulos, et al. disclosure includes a passing reference to theuse of such a paint ball for delivering dyes, smoke or tear gas to atarget, however, provides no mechanism for dispersing an inhibiting loadupon explosion of the projectile, which is important for a non-lethalinhibiting projectile to be effective. Specifically, when theKotsiopoulos, et al. projectile impacts the target, by-design, the loadis dispersed rather locally. Thus, even if one skilled in the art wereto act upon the passing reference to using tear gas in the Kotsiopoulos,et al. patent, to using tear gas, the present inventors believe thatsuch a device would be generally ineffective because the tear gas wouldnot be dispersed to the target's face, where it needs to be to beeffective.

Furthermore, as Kotsiopoulos, et al. is an unpressurized projectile, theamount of tear gas delivered would necessarily be limited to anunpressurized volume having dimensions of a paint ball. Even if thisamount of tear gas were delivered to a target's face, it is unlikelythat this amount of tear gas would be sufficiently effective to impairthe target in a useful way.

Still other non-lethal projectiles are described, for example, in U.S.Pat. No. 5,009,164, issued to Grinberg (Apr. 23, 1991), U.S. Pat. No.5,221,809 issued to Cuadros (Jun. 22, 1993) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,649,issued to Tougeron, et al. (Oct. 15, 1996), each of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. Grinberg describes aprojectile that changes its shape upon impact with a target, therebyreducing the danger of penetration into a live target. For example,Grinberg uses a double leaf construction to facilitate rupture of theprojectile upon impact. Cuadros describes a projectile that increases insize either during flight or upon impact to spread its force over alarge area to provide a knock-down effect without body penetration, andTougeron, et al., describe a self-propelled projectile intended todeliver an active substance to a living target.

An additional problem with all non-lethal projectile systems is beingable to control the kinetic energy at which a projectile is delivered toa target. Delivering a projectile to a target with to much force cancause unwanted or unnecessary harm in a situation where only non-lethalforce is necessary. Therefore, systems that consistently deliver aprojectile to a target in a controlled and at a low kinetics level areneeded.

While each of the devices described by these patents attempts to providea projectile that may be used to stop or slow a living target withoutcausing lethal injury, all of the devices have proven to be less thanideal. They are complicated and expensive to manufacture, and they arevariously difficult to use and unreliably effective. Typically, knownkinetic impact projectile systems use a launch force generated byburning propellant powder ignited by a primer, resulting in a projectilewhere a kinetic impact to a living target is high and can sometimes belethal. As a result of these problems and others, there is essentiallyno widely commercially accepted non-lethal projectile in use by lawenforcement or military personnel today that effectively delivers aninhibiting substance to a living target.

As such, there is a need for a reliable and cost effective non-lethaldevices and/or method for delivering non-lethal force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously addresses the above-identifiedneeds, as well as other needs, by providing a non-lethal orless-than-lethal projectile system for delivering a substance to atarget, especially a living target, such as a human or animal target. Insome embodiments, the projectile system better maximizes itseffectiveness by providing a kinetic impact against the target at afirst location on or near the target combined with a more optimumdispersement of the substance on and/or about the target at a secondlocation. As such, some embodiments provide methods and systems that canbe used by law enforcement or military personnel that effectivelydeliver projectiles with low kinetic impact that can disable one or moreliving targets through the use of a primer only cartridge.

The present invention additionally provides a non-lethal orless-than-lethal projectile system that has a very consistentshot-to-shot velocity when compared to prior art system. Advantageously,this provides for a non-lethal projectile system that is much lesslikely to deliver a projectile to a target at a greater than desiredvelocity and/or impact kinetics.

In one embodiment, a system is provide that can comprise a first parthave a hollow portion containing an inhibiting substance, a second partbeing non-spherical and having an exterior, wherein the first part issealed with the second part to seal the inhibiting substance within atleast the hollow portion, and a plurality of stabilizing fins securedwith the exterior of at the second part. The second part canadditionally include a hollow portion such that a volume is defined bythe hollow portion of the second part and the hollow portion of thefirst part, wherein the inhibiting substance is contained within thevolume. Further, the second part has a length and the first part has awidth, where the length of the second part is greater than one and ahalf times the width of the first part. In some embodiments, theplurality of fins are angled relative to an axis of the second part suchthat the angled fins provide a spin stabilizing effect.

In some embodiments, a projectile system is provided for use indelivering a substance to a target. The projectile system can include aprojectile that has a first part that is at least partially hollow, asecond part that is secured with the first part such that the hollowportion is sealed, wherein the projectile is non-spherical, aninhibiting substance sealed within at least the hollow portion of thefirst part, and stabilizing fins secured with the second part along anexterior of the second part. Further, the inhibiting substance isdispersed into a cloud upon impact of the projectile with a target. Insome embodiments, the projectile system further comprises a cartridgecoupled with the second part wherein the cartridge includes means forlaunching the projectile.

In some embodiments, the second part of the projectile is at leastpartially hollow where the hollow portion of the second part cooperateswith the hollow portion of the first part defining a volume within thefirst and second parts, and the inhibiting substance is sealed withinthe volume. The first part can additionally be frangible such that theinhibiting powder is radially dispersed when the projectile contacts thetarget. This powder forms an irritating cloud which can affect targetsdirectly hit or hidden targets near the impact point. Therefore, theseembodiments provide users, such as police officers, with a veryeffective non-lethal option for controlling armed and/or violentsuspect(s).

Some embodiments provide a system that comprises at least one fin and afrangible portion housing a payload. The system, in some embodiments,can further comprise a generally non-frangible nose section. The payloadcan include an irritant powder, an inert substance for training, aCapsaicin, Capsaicin II, Nonivamide, at least one capsaicinoid,Oleoresin Capsaicin (OC), at least one of CS and CN, maloderants, sleepagent(s), insecticide, herbicide, a liquid substance, a markingsubstance, and/or a weighting substance, or a combination of thesesubstances.

In further embodiments, a system is provided that comprises at least onestabilizing fin, means for launching containing compressed gas, and afrangible portion housing at least a portion of a dispersible payload.The system can further include a shock absorbing nose section. Someembodiments provide a projectile system that includes at least onestabilizing fin or stabilizing design feature, a frangible portionhousing at least a portion of a dispersible payload, and a cartridgecoupled with the frangible portion, wherein the cartridge includes meansfor launching the frangible portion. A flexible nose section canadditionally be included.

A projectile system is provided through some embodiments that includemeans for spin stabilizing, and a frangible portion encasing at least aportion of a dispersible payload. The system, in some embodiments, canfurther include a cartridge coupled with the frangible portion, whereinthe cartridge includes means for launching the frangible portion.

In yet other embodiments, a projectile system is provided that includesa primer only launched projectile. In this embodiment, the projectilesystem can include a shell and a propulsion shock damper. The propulsionshock damper provides a seal for the propulsion gases and evenlydistributes and dampens or absorbs the shock loads of the launchpreventing shock damage to the frangible projectile. The shock damperand the shell form a seal in-between the primer and the projectilesystem.

In still other embodiments, a projectile system is provided comprising acartridge shell, a propulsion shock damper, a primer and a projectile.The shock damper and the cartridge shell create a seal in-between theprimer and the projectile. In this embodiment, there is either nogunpowder propellant or less than about 1 gram of gunpowder propellant.This embodiment provides for a system which can deliver the projectilewith a much more consistent shot-to-shot velocity than prior artdevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following more particulardescription thereof, presented in conjunction with the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially transparent, side view showing a projectile fordelivering a substance to a target;

FIG. 2 shows an elevated rear view of the projectile of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the projectile system of FIGS.1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a multi-piece projectile;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a nose of the projectile ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts an elevated view of the internal hollow portion of thenose of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the body of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 shows an elevated view of the body of FIG. 7 looking into thehollow portion along an axis shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the body of FIGS. 7-8 with a cutawayportion shown;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the rim of the mouth of the body shown inFIGS. 7-9;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the tail of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the tail of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows a rear view of the tail of FIGS. 11-12;

FIG. 14 is side cross-sectional view of an alternative projectile systemfor delivering a substance to a target;

FIG. 15 is an elevated side view of the projection system of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows a partially transparent, side view of a projectile systemfor delivering a substance to a target;

FIG. 17 shows an elevated view of the projectile system of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows a cross-section view of the projectile system of FIGS. 16and 17;

FIG. 19 shows a cross sectional view of a projectile, similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1-4, prior to assembly;

FIG. 20 shows the projectile of FIG. 19 after the nose and body arejoined to one another;

FIG. 21 depicts a cross sectional view of a projectile, similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1-3, showing an alterative method for assembling theprojectile;

FIG. 22 depicts a flow chart detailing a method of assembly of aprojectile system, including steps directed towards FIGS. 19-21;

FIG. 23 shows components of a three-part projectile or projectile systemas a variation of the projectiles of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and/or FIG. 16;

FIG. 24 depicts a perspective view of the lid of the three-partprojectile of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of a process for assembling and filling thethree-part projectile of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 depicts a side view of a variation of the projectile of FIGS.1-4, illustrating fins coupled to a portion of the projectile so as toassist in stabilizing the flight of the projectile;

FIG. 27 depicts a side view of a variation of the projectiles of FIGS.1-4 and 26, illustrating a three-part non-spherical projectile includingstabilizing fins;

FIGS. 28 and 29 depict end views of variations of the stabilizing finsof FIGS. 1-4, 20, 26 and 27, illustrating straight fins and curved fins,respectively;

FIG. 30 is an exploded isometric view of a projectile system inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a side cross sectional view of the projectile system of FIG.30;

FIG. 32 is a side cross sectional view of a propulsion shock dampershown in FIGS. 30 and 31;

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the propulsion shock damper shown inFIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an exploded isometric view of a projectile system inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a side cross sectional view of a propulsion shock dampershown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the propulsion shock damper shownin FIG. 35 taken at A-A of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 38 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus;

FIG. 39 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 40-44 show projectiles according to some embodiments withtelescoping or extending sections;

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a low kineticsprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating a low kineticsprojectile cartridge in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a perspective diagram illustrating a dual electric primercartridge in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a dual primer, flameless cartridge inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 51A is a front view of a circuit board for igniting two primers isillustrated in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 51B is a cross-sectional view of the printed circuit board alongline A-A of FIG. 51A;

FIG. 51C is a rear view of the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 51A;

FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a heated gas projectile cartridge inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 53 shows the heated gas projectile cartridge of FIG. 52 just afterthe primer has been ignited;

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating a heated gas projectile cartridge inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 55 shows the heated gas projectile cartridge of FIG. 54 just afterthe primer has been ignited;

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating a heated gas projectile cartridge inaccordance with yet another embodiment;

FIG. 57 shows the heated gas projectile cartridge of FIG. 56 just afterthe primer has been ignited;

FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating a heated gas projectile cartridge inaccordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 59 shows the heated gas projectile cartridge of FIG. 58 just afterthe primer has been ignited;

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a heated gas projectile cartridge inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 61 shows the heated gas projectile cartridge of FIG. 60 just afterthe primer has been ignited; and

FIG. 62 is a graph illustrating the relationship between carbon dioxidepressure verses a percentage fill and temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the presently contemplated best mode ofpracticing the invention is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of theinvention. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the claims.

As used herein, the term “projectile system” or “projectile” or“non-lethal projectile” refers generally to the entire projectileapparatus of the various embodiments of the present invention thattravels to the target. For example, in all embodiments contemplatedherein, the projectile system or projectile at least includes aprojectile body that contains a substance for delivery to the target.For example, this projectile body may be embodied as a capsule having ahollow volume within that contains the substance. This projectile bodymay be a variety of shapes, for example, the projectile body may beoblong, spherical or other shapes depending on the specific embodiment.In some embodiments, the projectile includes stabilizers or otheraspects to provide a straighter or more accurate flight path. In someembodiments, the projectile body may be embodied as a stabilizer body,for example, which apparatus travels to the target.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, where FIG. 1 is a partially transparent,side view showing a projectile 2110 (also referred to as a projectilesystem) for delivering a substance, for example, an irritant powder, aninhibiting liquid or powder substance, such as, a capsaicinoid, aplurality of capsaicinoids, pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum, Capsaicin,Capsaicin II, Oleoresin Capsaicin (OC), tear gas (e.g., CS and CN),malodorant, marking substance, water, baby powder, talcum powder,weighting substance, inert substance for training, and the like, to aliving or inanimate target, such as a human target, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevated rear view of the projectile 2110. Theprojectile system 2110 includes a projectile body 2112 and a nose 2113.In some embodiment, the nose 2113 includes a lid 2128 that fits into afill hole (see FIG. 23) for filling the projectile with the substance.In some embodiments, the projectile 2110 includes stabilizers or otheraspects, such as fins 2118 and other stabilizers 2119, to provide a moreaccuracy flight path. The body and nose form an internal cavity 2114(see FIG. 3). The cavity is configured to hold or contain the payload orsubstance, such as inhibiting, marking or inert substances, to bedelivered to the target.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of projectile system 2210according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the cavity2114 holding or containing the payload substance 2111 to be delivered tothe target. Upon impact with the target, the substance 2111 is dispersedat and about the target, thereby inhibiting, repelling, and/or markingthe target. In a preferred embodiment, the projectile nose 2113, and insome embodiments the body 2112, ruptures upon impact with the targetdispersing the substance 2111, and the substance 2111 contains aninhibiting substance, repelling substance and/or marking substance.

The inhibiting substance can comprise finely powdered capsaicinoid, acombination of a plurality of finely powdered capsaicinoids, oleoresincapsicum (such as may be purchased from Defense Technology of America inCasper, Wyo. (for example, Blast Agent oleoresin capsicum 943355, Cas.No. 8023-77-6, #T14, #T16, #T21 and/or #T23)), other pepper derivativesor other inhibiting substances. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is apepper-derived substance consisting of four primary capsaicinoids:capsaicin, Nonivamide, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin, ofwhich capsaicin and Nonivamide are the primary active substances. OC maybe processed into a liquid, an oil, or a powder fill material. Capsaicinmay be found in natural form within oleoresin capsicum or may besynthetically produced as pharmaceutical grade capsaicin or Nonivamideor PAVA. Such pharmaceutical capsaicin is commercially available fromBoehringer Ingelheim of Ingelhem, Germany. A capsaicinoid orcapsaicinoids derived or extracted from naturally occurring plants canbe used, or a synthetic capsaicinoid or capsaicinoids can be used orpharmaceutically produced Nonivamide or PAVA.

In the present embodiment, the oleoresin capsicum powder, to be used forthe substance 2111, in some embodiments, (referred to with respect tothe present embodiment as “powder”) is preferably purchased in a near100% pure form, or at a diluted concentration of about 0.5%, e.g.,between 0.1% and 30%, e.g., 0.3% and 15%, e.g. about 5% by weight. Thus,the substance should be, for example, at least 0.1% oleoresin capsaicinby weight, more preferably at least 0.3%, and most preferably at least0.5% by weight.

Alternatively, in terms of capsaicin or PAVA, or Nonivamide, thepowdered inhibiting substance should comprise at least 0.1% capsaicin byweight to be effective, preferably at least 0.3% capsaicin, mostpreferably about 0.5% or greater of capsaicin or Nonivamide. In eithercase, or if 100% concentration is purchased, the powder may be diluted,to a desired concentration, by mixing with an inert powdered substance,such as talcum, corn starch, baby powder or other inert substances.

Thus, in the broadest sense, in some embodiments, the inhibitingsubstance can in part comprise a pepper-derived powder substance,including for example, one or more of oleoresin capsicum, capsaicin I orII, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin,homodihydrocapsaicin, Nonivamide, PAVA, or combinations of the abovepepper or pepper-derived substances.

Furthermore, in the powdered embodiments, it is advantageous that thesubstance 2111 is a finely ground powdered substance such that theparticle sizes or grain are less than 1000 microns in diameter, andpreferably less than 500 microns, more preferably less than 100 microns,and most preferably less than 50 microns. It has been found that thegenerally the smaller the particle diameter in a powdered substance, themore effective the radial dispersal of the substance upon impact and thelarger the volume of the dispersal providing a “cloud-like” dispersion.

For example, particle diameters above 500 microns and specifically above1000 microns tend to simply splatter, spray, or scatter on the targetand/or quickly fall to the ground. Furthermore, particle diametersgenerally above 250 microns and above 500 microns are easily preventedfrom entering a targets nostrils or mouth by placing a handkerchiefthere against. Furthermore, a powdered substance having, for example, aparticle size of greater than 500 microns, or greater than 1000 microns,may only disperse into a very small volume, whereas a finely groundpowdered substance will create a cloud of a much larger volume.

It is preferable to produce a “cloud” of the powdered substance todisperse radially and envelop a relatively large volume upon impact withthe target and rupture of the nose 2113 and/or body 2112, for example, acloud that is formed when clapping erasers together. As will be seen, itis advantageous that the substance produce a fine cloud of the powderedsubstance such that the cloud will be dispersed on and about the target,such that the target inhales the substance.

In some preferred embodiments, the substance comprises a powderedcapsaicinoid powder, oleoresin capsicum powder or capsaicin powder thathas an average particle size of less than 500 microns, preferably lessthan 100 microns, more preferably less than 50 microns, and mostpreferably less than 20 microns, e.g. 10 microns in diameter. Thus, whensuch powder is contained within projectile 2110, such as shown in FIGS.1-3, which may be large enough to fit into a twelve-gauge shotgun shellcasing, the nose 2113 and/or body 2112 ruptures upon impact with atarget, producing a cloud of finely powdered substance 2111.

In some embodiments, one or more inert substances can also be includedwith the inhibiting substance. Further, some preferred embodimentsincorporate inert particles with the inhibiting substance, where theaverage particle size of the inert substance is larger than the averageparticle size of the active inhibiting substance. This mixed sizeparticle cloud will enable the inert particles to fall out of thesuspension before the active irritant thus leaving behind a cloud ofirritant near the target.

The projectile can be designed to produce a cloud of desired size. Thesize of the cloud produces depends on the size of the projectile 2110,the size of the cavity 2114, the particle size of the substance 2111,the speed of impact and other similar factors. In some embodiments, thesize of the cloud is about 1 foot in diameter, and preferably about 2feet or more in diameter. This cloud advantageously “wafts” in the airfor several seconds, for example, between 6 and 10 seconds beforesettling, allowing sufficient time to inhale the powdered substance ifone is in or near the cloud(s).

Furthermore, and advantageously, the powdered inhibitor substances, suchas capsaicinoids, oleoresin capsicum, capsaicin, and Nonivamide, aremore than topically acting substances. These substances react internallyby entering the mouth and nostrils of the target and contacting the lungtissue, for example, causing a temporary irritation, choking, coughing,panic and/or feeling of inability to breathe, whereby the target isinhibited.

In other embodiments, the projectile 2110 may also be used to deliverother substances such as marking substances, including for example, dyesor paint, or the like, to a living or an inanimate target, and may alsobe used to deliver inert substances, such as, baby powder, corn starch,talcum powder, water and other inert substances. Such dyes may becolored dyes, such as those found in common paint ball technologies, ormay contain other markers, such as an infrared, ultraviolet (UV) orglow-in-the-dark marker, which may be useful for marking a suspect atnight, making it easier for law enforcement personnel to see the markedsuspect at night. In one embodiment of a marking substance, a chemicalmarker or chemical fingerprinted paint, such as produced by YellowJacket, Inc. of California, can be used which effectively leaves achemical ID or chemical fingerprint on the target, which can be used bythe police to verify that a person was struck by a specific non-lethalprojectile and place the suspect at a crime scene. As such, the chemicalmarker includes a chemical ID formulated into the paint substance duringmanufacture, identifying the batch of the chemical marker. For example,a fleck of the chemical marker found on a suspect two weeks after thebeing impacted with the chemical marker, can be chemically identifiedand traced to the shooter; thus, the suspect may be linked to a crimescene by the chemical marker.

Furthermore, chemical compounds having a particularly offensive odor,i.e. malodorants, may be contained within the projectile 2110, to beused to mark suspects by scent or to repel or keep people away fromdesired areas. In still further embodiments, the projectile may be usedto deliver both inhibiting and marking substances, or even inertsubstances to the target.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with the present embodiment,the substance 2111, such as an inhibiting substance, is encapsulatedwithin a plastic, gelatinous or similar material projectile body 2112and/or nose 2113. The body 2112 and/or nose 2113 may be made fromvarious known substances, such as acrylic, vinyl, PVC, plastic,polystyrene, rubber, and/or other polymers, sodium alginate, calciumchloride, coated alginate and/or polyvinyl alginate (PVA). Furthermore,the nose 2113 may be generally hemispherical or parabolic or have otherdesirable shapes according to the specific embodiment; however, somenose shapes may provide for better dispersal of the substance containedwithin upon impact. Additionally, the nose 2113, a body section or thewhole projectile, may be made out of colored materials or evenglow-in-the-dark materials or chemicals to enhance the night time use ofsuch projectiles and the color code helps to differentiate the types ofprojectiles for easy and safe identification by the use.

Similarly, the body 2112 can generally taper, may be generally oblong,be shaped similar to streamlined projectile, or have another desirableshapes according to the specific embodiment; however, some body shapesmay provide for more stable flight paths and/or more desirable dispersalof the substance contained within upon impact. In some embodiments, thebody includes fins 2118 and/or other stabilizers 2119 to provide addedstability during flight. The projectile 2110 can include substantiallyany number of fins. For example, the projectile shown in FIGS. 1 and 2and include four fins 2118. Some embodiments include from zero to eightfins or more. Additionally, the body 2112 may be made out of coloredmaterials or even glow-in-the-dark materials to enhance the night timeuse of such projectiles and the color code helps to differentiate thetypes of projectiles for easy and safe identification by the use.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one preferred embodiment, theprojectile systems contemplated herein include a generally hemisphericalhollow nose 2113, preferably formed of a polymer substance, for exampleand without limitation, PVC, ABS, Styrofoam, rubber, urethanes,polystyrene, polyethelene, polyvinyl, vinyl, acrylic or other polymer.In one embodiment, the nose is configured to be generally non-frangible.Further, the nose can be configured to absorb some of the shock ofimpact with the target. For example, the nose can be formed of anon-frangible rubber, preferably a soft rubber, gelatin or other softmaterial, with the body being frangible. As such, the body breaks uponimpact dispersing the substance. Alternatively, the nose can be formedof a hard, generally non-frangible material, as opposed to rubber,gelatin or other soft material, that receives the force of the impactwhile the body is frangible and breaks upon impact. The projectile andthe shell can have substantially any size, and in some preferredembodiments, sized to fit with manufactured firearms, such as existingshotguns and other firearms. For example, in some embodiments, the outerdiameter of the spherical nose 2113, or shell, can be from between about1.0 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.8 cm. In some embodiments, the outer diameterof the nose is less than an inner-diameter of a shotgun shell (see FIGS.4-5) so that the nose 2113 fits into the shotgun shell. Theinner-diameter of the nose 2113 (which defines part of the volume inwhich the substance 2111 is carried) is substantially any size definedby the outer size. In some embodiments, the inner-diameter can be frombetween about 0.3 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.7 cm. The inner diameter can besubstantially any size to provide a projectile that can deliver adesired payload to the target.

The projectile systems 2110 contemplated according to one embodimentherein further includes a generally tapering, hollow body 2112. The bodycan be formed from plastic, PVC, polymer substances, or other materialsand/or combinations of these materials. The body is at least partiallyhollow or includes a bore, well or chamber 2116. The hollowed portion2116 typically also tapers similar to the tapering of the body 2112. Themouth 2117 of the hollowed portion is positioned proximate the nose2113. However, the hollow portion can be formed in substantially anyconfiguration depending on any number of considerations, including, butnot limited to, dimensions of the projectile, dimensions of the body,the amount of substance to be delivered, the weight of the substance,the desired center of gravity, the desired flight path, dispersment ofthe substance at the target and other similar factors.

The body 2112 has an outer diameter at the mouth 2117 that is preferablyfrom between about 1.0 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.8 cm. Typically, the outerdiameter is configured to have a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of the nose 2113. Further, the outer diameter of the body, insome embodiments, is less than the inner-diameter of a shotgun shell(see FIGS. 4-5) so that the nose 2113 and body 2112 fit into the shotgunshell.

The projectile 2110 can be designed and configured to have substantiallyany outer diameter to deliver substantially any amount of payload at thetarget. The diameter is limited only by the means for propelling and/ordelivering the projectile at or near a target. For example, theprojectile can have a diameter from less than 5.0 mm to greater than 10cm. For example, projectiles can have diameters of about 5.56 mm, 7.62mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11.4 mm, 14.5 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 37 mm, 40 mm,63.5 mm, 76 mm, 105 mm, 127 mm, 155 mm, 1.7 cm, 5.0 cm and other similardiameters that correspond with the size of existing ammunition forvarious existing weapons. Similarly, the total length of the projectilecan have substantially any length to achieve the desired flightstability and deliver a desired payload. In some embodiments, forexample, the projectile can have lengths between less than 0.5 inchesand over 12 inches.

The body tapers to reduce the weight of the projectile, maintain apreferred center of gravity and optimizes preferred flight path. Thetail 2115 is designed to have a length and diameter large enough toprovide stability, maintain desired fin rigidity and achieve the desiredcenter of gravity. The fins 2118 and stabilizers 2119 enhance flightstability and thus accuracy. In some embodiments, the span across twofins and the tail is equal to or less than the outer diameter of thebody 2112 and/or nose 2113.

The inner-diameter of the hollowed portion 2116 (which defines part ofthe volume in which the substance 2111 is carried) preferably tapers.The diameter of the mouth 2117 of the hollow portion 2116 is frombetween about 0.5 mm to greater than 10 cm. For example, the mouthdiameter can be between 0.3 cm and 5.0 cm, e.g., 1.7 cm, and ittypically about equal with the inner diameter of the nose 2113.

The cavity 2114 formed between the inner hollow of the nose and thehollow portion 2116 of the body 2112 houses or retains the substance tobe delivered, and preferably dispersed, at a target. In preferredembodiments described in detail herein, the cavity 2114 is filled to atleast about 30%, preferably 40% to less than 100%, more preferably 85%to 99%, and most preferably to about 95%, of its volume with asubstance, for example an inhibiting, inert and/or marking substance, tobe delivered to the target, for example a human target.

Because of the length of the body 2112, the hollow portion is typicallyconfigured with a volume greater than the volume of the nose 2113. Thisallows the projectile to carry and thus deliver a greater amount ofsubstance, such as an inhibiting substance, to the target. Typically,the hollow portion 2116 of the body has a greater volume than sphericalstructures of previous devices, such as paint balls (e.g., those paintballs discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,379 (Kotsiopoulos et al.)).

The body 2112 is typically designed with a length greater than theradius of the hemispherical nose 2113. The body is more preferablygreater in length than the diameter of the mouth 2117. In some preferredembodiments, the body is greater in length than one and a half times thediameter of the mouth 2117.

Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is a side view of a multi-pieceprojectile 2150 according to one embodiment of the present invention.The projectile 2150 includes a nose 2152, a body 2154 and a tail 2156.In some embodiments the nose additionally includes a fill hole 2162 (seeFIGS. 5-6) with a lid 2158 secured with the nose to retain the substancewithin the projectile 2150. The nose, body and tail are secured togetherby glue, heat, ultrasonic welding or other means, to form the projectile2150. As described above in relation to FIGS. 1-3, the nose 2152 andbody 2154 have hollowed portions for receiving and retaining a payload,such as an inhibiting and/or inert substance, to be delivered to atarget.

In some embodiments, the nose and body, the nose and lid, and the bodyand tail are secured together. Preferably the nose and body areadditionally sealed to one another, such as using ultrasonic weldingtechniques, using an appropriate solvent or glue, by snapping the noseand body together or other similar techniques, such as combinations ofthese techniques. In some embodiments, the nose 2152 and body 2154 arealso preferably sealed, such as using ultrasonic welding techniques,using an appropriate solvent or glue, threading, or by snapping the noseand body together, or using a combinations of these techniques.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, where FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional viewof a nose 2152, and FIG. 6 depicts an elevated view of the internalhollow portion 2160 of the nose 2152 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The nose 2152 includes the fill hole 2162 that allowsthe projectile to be filled with the substance after the projectile isassembled. The nose is shown with weakening or fracture points 2164, forexample, interior scoring that run both longitudinal and latitudinal.

One implementation of the body 2154 is shown in FIGS. 7-11. FIG. 7 showsa cross-sectional view of the body 2154. The body includes a hollowportion 2170. In some embodiments, the wall of the hollow portion taperssimilar to the body, and in some embodiments is generally parabolic inshape. The body 2154 includes a male snap or tongue 2173 that snaps orfits with the tail 2176. It will be appreciated by one skilled in theart that the body can be configured with a female snap or receiving portin which a portion of the tail 2156 can be secure.

FIG. 8 shows an elevated view of the body 2154 looking into the hollowportion 2170 along an axis 2171 shown in FIG. 7. The body can includestructural fracture points 2172 to aid in the rupture of the body 2154.Alternatively, the body can include support structures to add rigidityto the body for embodiments where the body is not to break or rupture.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the body 2154 with a cutaway portion. Thecutaway portion shows the hollow portion 2170. The body can additionallyinclude stabilizers 2174 formed along the exterior of the body. Thestabilizers provide additional stability during flight of theprojectile.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the rim of the mouth of the body 2154 asindicated by the circled area in FIG. 8. The enlarged area shows astabilizer 2174. Additionally, a fracture point 2172 is shown in greaterdetail.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the tail 2156. The tail includes aplurality of fins 2176. The tail can be made of substantially anymaterial capable of withstanding launch loads without structurallyfailing. For example, tail 2156 can be made of material similar to thatof the nose and/or the body, such as PVC, ABS, urethanes, rubber,acrylic, vinyl, plastic, polystyrene and/or other polymers, sodiumalginate, calcium chloride, coated alginate and/or polyvinyl alginate(PVA). Alternatively, the tail can be made of a rubber, urethane orother flexible material.

The fins 2176 may be made of the same material as the tail 2156 or otherflexible material, such as rubber, urethane, polyethylene and othersimilar materials to withstand the launch loads without structurallyfailing. Typically, the tail and fins are formed as a single, continuouspiece. However, the fins 2716 can be individual fins or may be a singlefin body including more than one fin, for example, four fins, that areattached or bonded to the projectile tail 2156.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the tail 2156. The tail includesfemale receiving port 2178 for coupling with the body. In thisembodiment, the body and tail are snapped and sealed together.Additionally and/or alternatively, the tail can be ultrasonicallywelded, glued, bonded, and other methods for securing. As discussedabove, in some embodiments, the tail and body are a single continuouspiece. In some alternative embodiments, the tail section can be securedto the body with a telescoping section, a rod, or other such devices, asfully described below. The extending or telescoping would allow thestabilizing fin section to extend away from the body upon launch thusincreasing the length to diameter ratio of the projectile and givinggreater stability in flight.

In some embodiments, the fins extend up along the body providing greaterfin length than the tail. In some of these embodiments, the fins canadditionally be secured with the body. Alternatively, the fins can havea length equal to or less than a length of the tail 2156. FIG. 12 showsan embodiment with the fins having a length shorter than the length ofthe tail 2156.

FIG. 13 shows a rear view of the tail 2156 along the line 2177 indicatedin FIG. 11. The tail 2156 is shown with four fins 2176. However, anynumber of fins can be included to provide stability to the projectileduring flight.

The use of multiple parts to construct the projectile can be utilized inany of the projectiles depicted and/or described herein. In someembodiments, a nose can be configured to fit a plurality of differentbody configurations. Similarly, a tale can be configured to fit aplurality of different body shapes. Additionally, a body can beconstructed to fit any number of nose and/or tail configurations.

The projectile 2110 with loaded substance 2111 is designed to have anoptimal center of gravity. The optimal center of gravity provides for amore accurate flight path and further enhances the rupture of thefrangible nose 2113 and thus enhancing the distribution of thesubstance. For example, the center of gravity can be directly at acenter of the length of the projectile when the projectiles areconstructed such that the tail counter balances the nose. Alternativelyand in some preferred embodiments, the center of gravity can bepositioned forward of the length center toward the nose to better ensurethat the projectile contacts the target nose first. Standard flightstability design criteria can be employed to establish the desiredcenter of gravity.

The nose 2113 and/or body 2112 are preferably formed, by injectionmolding or by being hot pressed; however other methods are alsosuitable. For example, the hemispherical nose 2113 can be formed using acarefully temperature controlled draw of polystyrene, similar to theformation of spherical capsules described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,379,incorporated herein by reference, (hereinafter the '379 patent).

Production of the capsule of the '379 patent in this fashion can,however, be time consuming and, where being manufactured for the purposeof delivering paint to a target, requires careful attention to feedrates and maintenance of temperature differences between injection feedsof the paint and forming of the capsules. In contrast, and as discussedfurther herein, the preferred projectiles of the present invention maybe quickly formed, filled and sealed at very high production rates, inpart, because the nose 2113 and body 2112 are typically formedseparately. In some embodiments, the nose and body are thenappropriately filled, joined and sealed. Alternatively, in somepreferred embodiments, the nose and body are joined and sealed. Then thesubstance 2111 is delivered to the cavity 2114 through a fill opening614 (see FIG. 23).

The body 2112 of the projectile 2110 can be configured to be morestructurally stable than the nose 2113. As such, in some embodiments,the body can be reused. Once a projectile 2110 is launched or fired, thenose ruptures upon impact dispersing the substance 2111. The body canthen be retrieved, a new nose affixed, re-filled with a desiredsubstances and again launched.

FIG. 14 is side cross-sectional view of alternative projectile systems2250 for delivering a substance, such as an inhibiting substance, to atarget in accordance with additional embodiments of the presentinvention, wherein a twelve-gauge shotgun shell 2252 is packed with aprojectile 2254. FIG. 15 is an elevated side view of the projectionsystem 2250. The projectile 2254 can be similar to the projectiledescribed above and shown FIGS. 1-4 that contain the substance to bedelivered to the target, such as oleoresin capsicum, Nonivamide and/orPAVA. Advantageously, the modified shotgun shell 2252 in accordance withthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be used withstandard, commercially available shotguns.

Shown in FIG. 14 are the twelve-gauge shotgun shell 2252, the projectile2254, a propulsion shock damper or shock absorber 2256, a seal 2260 (orcrimping), wadding 2262, and black powder, smokeless powder, gunpowderor other ignitable or explosive substances or powders 2264. In someembodiments the shell includes a primer 2265 that aids in igniting thegunpowder. In other embodiments, the gunpowder 2264 is not present andthe primer 2265 is the source of energy used to launch theprojectile(s). These primer only launch embodiments can in someinstances provide more consistent projectile velocities than can beachieved with gunpowder. Further, these embodiments can cause thelaunching of projectiles at reduced velocities compared with standard orconventional firearm projectiles, and typically within a fixed velocityrange that is less than velocities of launched conventional firearmprojectiles. Some projectile systems 2250 can be utilized withconventional firearms, while still launching the projectile at therelatively safe and non-lethal low velocity and low impact kinetics thatdo not penetrate the body with lethal force.

In some embodiments as introduced above the powder 2264 can be a mixtureof primer and gunpowder. Some of these embodiments can be configuredwith substantially no gunpowder, to again provide a more consistentprojectile velocity. In some embodiments, the velocity is between 25 and2000 miles per hour (mph), preferably between 50 and 400 mph which isgenerally less than launch velocities of standard firearm projectiles,and are non-lethal velocities because the projectiles typically do notpenetrate a target (such as a human target). The launched velocity isalso depended on the mass of the projectile. Similarly, because manyembodiments of the projectile rupture and/or break upon impact, much ofthe kinetic force is absorbed, significantly reducing the force ofimpact and the lethality of the projectile.

Alternatively with some non-lethal embodiments, the launch velocity canbe substantially any velocity where the projectile does not penetratethe target lethally. Further, the consistency of the velocity ofprojects provides projectile velocities that vary less than 75 mph,preferably less than 50 mph. The reduced gunpowder or elimination of gunpower can provide a reduced muzzle blast, reduce heat generation, andincreased safety when deploying as a non-lethal projectile. With someembodiments, a projectile can be launched from a conventional launcherand/or firearm through conventional activation mechanisms to launch aprojectile within a reduced range of velocity, such as less than 600mph, preferably in some instances less than 300 mph. The primer alone2265 or the primer 2265 and small amounts of the propellant powder 2264(e.g., less than 5 grams and preferably less than 1 gram) can beactivated to generate a chemical explosion to propel the projectile atvelocities in the desired relatively low velocity range with resultingsafe non-lethal impact kinectics.

Shown in FIG. 15 are the shotgun shell 2252, the propulsion shock damper2256 and the projectile 2254 as would result just after firing oractivating the shotgun shell to propel the projectile 2254. The shell2252 can be a standard shot gun shell or can be a shell with anincreased thickness and or length. Upon firing of the shotgun shell2252, the primer 2265 acting by itself, or igniting small amounts ofother ignitable substance 2264 (if present), causes the expansion of hotgases forcing the wadding 2262 (if present) and shock damper and gasseal 2256 to drive the projectile 2254 out of the shotgun shell 2252.Such forcing out of the wadding 2262, shock damper/gas seal 2256 and theprojectile 2254 moves the dust/weather seal 2260 (if present). The shockdamper/gas seal 2256 may impact the target or may fall short of thetarget. Some of the primary purposes of the shock damper/gas seal 2256are to seal the expanding gases generated by the primer 2265 and/orother ignitable substance 2264 (if present), and to distribute and/ordampen some of the shock launch forces that are transferred to theprojectile, providing a distribution of launch force and acceleration tothe projectile.

The size of the shock damper/gas seal 2256 is designed to harness asmuch of the propulsion force provided by the ignited substance 2264. Assuch, in some embodiments, the diameter of at least a portion of theshock damper 2256 is typically at least equal to or larger than thediameter of the shell 2252. The diameter of the shock damper 2256 istypically designed to create a seal between the shock damper and theinner diameter of the shell 2252. Further, some embodiments of the shockdamper are designed to have an extended seal region where the sealcreated between the shock damper and the shell has an increased lengthfurther ensuring a seal and a maximum transfer of propulsion energy tothe projectile 2254. Additionally and/or alternatively, the seal betweenthe shock damper and the shell can include a plurality of seals spacedacross a length of the shock damper 2256. In some embodiments, a smallamount of lubricant and or sealant, such as oil, graphite or otherlubricant can be included at the seal between the shock damper and theshell to improve the seal and/or reduce friction and allow for a moreaccurate and/or an increased velocity.

The propulsion shock damper 2256 can be of substantially any relevantshape and/or configuration that established the desired seal effectwithin the shell 2252. In some embodiments the shock damper is partiallyhollow, such as hollow cylinder or a cup shape to reduce the weight ofthe shock damper and limit the distance of travel of the shock damper.The hollow portion is typically closed at one end by a plate or cap. Theplate, in some embodiments, extends out beyond the cylinder portion toform a portion of the desired seal with the shell. One or more lips 2253can be included that protrude away from a central axis of the shockdamper and extend around the perimeter of the shock damper, typicallynear or at one end of the shock damper (such as at the opposite end fromthe plate). The protruding lip can define a larger diameter for theshock damper that is greater than the diameter of the shell. Further, insome preferred embodiments, the lip is flexible and tends flex toestablish greater contact with the shell producing an enhanced seal. Thelip 2253 can further be perpendicular to the central axis or taper fromthe central axis at an angle.

Reinforcement structures can also be included in some embodiments of theshock damper 2256. For example, the hollow, cylinder shaped embodimentcan include the plate to close the end. The plate can further includeradially extending reinforcement structures that add rigidity andstability to the shock damper. Some embodiments further includeadditional ribbing and/or one or more structural rings positioned alongthe length of the damper. The ring(s) extends around the perimeter ofthe interior or exterior of the shock damper. This ribbing and/or ringcan add further structural support. The ring can additionally enhanceand/or provide an additional seal between the ring and the shell, whenthe ring is formed on the exterior of the shock damper. Two examples ofdifferent shock dampers can be found in FIGS. 32, 33, 35 and 36.

In some embodiments, the shock damper can be eliminated and theprojectile 2254 is configured with a diameter that is substantiallyequal to or just greater than the inner diameter of the shell 2252. Thediameter of the shock damper is typically of a sufficient size to chockoff the flow between the high pressure, flame front and the lowpressure, atmosphere side. As such, the projectile produces a sealbetween the projectile and the shell such that the propulsion forceproduced by the ignited substance 2264 is directly applied to theprojectile. Similar to some embodiments of the shock damper, theprojectile 2254, in some embodiments, can be configured such that theseal between the projectile and the shell 2252 is a long seal and has alength that extended along a portion of the length of the projectile toestablish the seal. The seal established by the shock damper and/or theprojecting can equally be employed with other types of propulsion, forexample, compressed gas and other similar propulsion techniques.

The propulsion shock damper/gas seal or acceleration absorber can beconstructed of substantially any material capable of withstanding thepressure and temperatures exerted on the shock damper from the ignitionof the primer 2265 and ignitable substance 2264 (or compressed airapplied to the shock damper as described below). For example, the shockdamper can be constructed of plastic, rubber, polymer, urethane, metalor metals, ceramics, other similar materials and/or combinationsthereof. Similarly, the projectile can be constructed at least in partof similar materials when the shock damper is not used, or simply toprovide added strength to the projectile or provide an additional sealwithin the shell.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, wherein FIG. 16 shows a partiallytransparent, side view of a projectile system 2210 for delivering asubstance, for example, an inhibiting or inert liquid or powdersubstance to a target in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 17 shows an elevated view of the projectile system 2210.The projectile system 2210 includes a projectile 2212 and a projectioncartridge 2214, where the projection cartridge 2214 is configured topropel the projectile 2212 towards the target.

The projectile 2212 includes a nose 2220, a body 2222 and a projectileseal 2224. In some implementations, the projectile, 2212 is spinstabilized. In some embodiments, the body includes stabilizing fins,which can be similar to those described above with reference to FIGS.1-4 and 11-15, as well as those fins described below with reference toat least FIGS. 26-29. The nose is typically formed of a frangiblesection that is configured to rupture or break upon impact with thetarget. The nose 2220 and body 2222 can be formed as a single continuouspiece or separate pieces. In some embodiments, the body is alsofrangible and can additionally break when the projectile 2212 strikes atarget dispersing a substance contained within the projectile. Theprojectile seal 2224 is secured with the projectile body 2222, andcooperates with the cartridge securing the projectile with the cartridgeuntil sufficient force is applied to propel the projectile away from thecartridge.

FIG. 18 shows a cross-section view of the projectile 2212. The nose 2220and projectile body 2222 have hollow portions forming a cavity 2226. Thecavity can be filled with an inhibiting and/or inert substance 2211 tobe delivered to the target. The cavity 2226 can be configured tosubstantially any size to deliver a desired amount of substance at thetarget. The weight, the size, the amount of force provided by thecartridge 2214 and the size of a device to activate the projectilesystem 2210 (if needed) are further factors which limit the size. Insome embodiments, the projectile system 2210 is similar in size to abullet, such as a 38 caliber, 45 caliber or other caliber bullet. Thisallows the projectile system 2210 to be utilized with a standard,commercially available fire arm or gun. Alternatively, the projectionsystem 2210 can have a size similar to a flare, where a commerciallyavailable flare gun or other similar device can be utilized to activatethe projectile system to launch the projectile 2212. In someembodiments, the projectile system 2210 has a size similar to that of ashotgun shell, such as a twelve-gauge shotgun shell. This allows theprojectile system 2210 to be utilized in a standard, commerciallyavailable shotgun. Other embodiments may be larger in diameter to launchconventionally from other launching devices, such as a 37 mm or 40 mmlaw enforcement or military type launcher.

Other embodiments provide projectiles and/or launching systems that havea unique and/or non-conventional caliber, different than conventionalfirearms. Further, non-conventional caliber non-lethal launchers can beprovided to launch the non-conventional caliber projectiles. Thenon-conventional caliber helps to ensure that the projectiles can onlybe launched from the non-lethal projectile launchers. This prevents theinadvertent launching of lethal projectiles from a conventional firearmwhen the operator incorrectly believes the conventional firearm isloaded with non-lethal projectiles.

The seal secures the projectile 2212 with the cartridge 2214. Typically,the seal fits into a cavity 2232 of the cartridge. In some embodiments,the seal 2224 includes a recess 2228 that is formed in the seal oppositeto the projectile body and nose. This recess 2228 focuses a propulsionforce towards a central axis of the projectile 2212.

The cartridge 2214 provides propulsion to the projectile 2212. Thecartridge typically includes a propellant, such as compressed gas,gunpowder, other flammable and/or explosive substances, a blank load,and other propellants. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes acavity 2232 in which at least a portion of the projectile seal 2224 issecured. The cavity can also be configured to hold the propellant or isconfigured to allow the propellant to disperse so than a distributedforce is applied on the projectile 2212. A standard blank cartridge orprimer only may also be used for propulsion energy.

Referring back to FIG. 16, the cartridge 2214 is shown to include a gascasing 2234 that contains compressed gas. The cartridge further includesan initiator 2236 (see FIG. 17). The initiator activates the propellantto discharge and force the projectile 2212 away from the cartridge andtowards the target. In some embodiments, the activator is similar tothose found in bullets or shotgun shells. The activator triggers thegunpowder or just a primer to ignite creating a force to drive theprojectile 2212. Alternatively, the activator 2236 can open a seal of acasing 2234 releasing compressed gas or gases. The compressed gaspropels the projectile 2212 at a velocity that is within a predeterminedvelocity range. For example, some embodiments propel the projectile 2212at velocities less than 700 mph, some embodiments propel the projectileat less than 400 mph, depending on projectile mass, size, the force needto break the projectile and other similar factors.

The cartridge can be formed of metal, plastic, PVC and other similarmaterials or combination of materials. The cartridge can be constructedto be reusable.

Although substantially any amount of powder fill has been envisioned forthese embodiments, it has been discovered, by the present inventors,that the effectiveness of projectile systems employing projectiles todeliver powdered non-lethal substances, such as powdered oleoresincapsicum, Nonivamide, PAVA, etc to a target are maximized by filling theprojectile volume to at least about 30%, preferably 40% to less than100%, more preferably 85% to 99% of their maximum volume, and mostpreferably to about 95% of their maximum volume. The present inventors'discovery of an optimal fill range represents a significant improvement,one that enables the use of powdered inhibiting substances in acommercially viable non-lethal or less-than-lethal projectile. Thisoptimal fill range further represents an unexpected result. The fillrange is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,839, filed Nov. 18,1996, entitled “NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE FOR DELIVERING AN INHIBITINGSUBSTANCE TO A LIVING TARGET”, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,992, filed Apr.9, 1999, entitled “NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE FOR DELIVERING AN INHIBITINGSUBSTANCE TO A LIVING TARGET”, and co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/146,013, filed May 14, 2002, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORSTORING AND LAUNCHING NON-LETHAL PROJECTILES” each of which areincorporated herein in their entirety.

However, at the same time, this optimal fill range poses a differentproblem, which is addressed herein below, that is, how to fill each ofthe nose 2113, 2212 and body 2112, 2222 so that a resultant projectilehas the optimal fill range, without significant spillage of thesubstance contained therein during closure of the nose and body.

In alternative embodiments, the cartridge 2214 is replaced with acaseless propellant. The caseless propellant is ignited and generatesthe propulsion force similar to that of gunpowder, a primer, a primerand gunpowder mix and other similar ignitable substances. The caselesspropellant is formed such that the cartridge portion 2214 is rigid andstable until ignited, for example with an electric charge or a primer.Once ignited, the caseless propellant is almost completely consumed orcompletely consumed as it generates the propulsion force that is exertedon the projectile 2212.

Referring to FIGS. 19-25, illustrated are the stages of two preferredassembly methods of a projectile system 2110, in accordance herewith,comprising a hemispherical nose 2113 and a body 2112 forming a cavity2114 containing a substance 2111 a, 2111 b, such as a powderedsubstance. FIG. 19 shows a cross sectional view of a projectile 2010prior to assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention,with the nose 2113 detached from the body 2112. As illustrated in FIGS.19-20, the problem of spillage during assembly is overcome in thisembodiment by employing a thin membrane 2120, 2121 within one or both ofthe nose 2113 and/or body 2112 after each is filled to a desired levelwith a powdered substance 2111 a, 2111 b (the two portion of substance2111 a, 2111 b together constituting the optimal fill of the projectile2110). The membranes 2120, 2121 retain respective portions of thesubstance 2111 a, 2111 b within each of the nose and body, respectively,to facilitate assembly of the projectile 2110 without spilling thesubstance 2111 a, 2111 b during assembly.

FIG. 20 shows the projectile 2110 after the nose 2113 and body 2112 arejoined to one another. Upon joining of the nose and body, the projectile2110 is then, optionally, sealed along the point of joining 2123 by, forexample, ultrasound welding, with the use of a glue or solvent, or othermethods for sealing. In preferred embodiments, the projectile ishermetically sealed along the joining seam 2023, such that moistureand/or other contaminants cannot enter the cavity, spoiling itscontents.

In a still further preferred aspect, the sealed cavity of the projectilesystem 2110 is shaken or otherwise subjected to sufficient force tocause rupture of the membranes 2120, 2121 within the projectile 2110,such that the substance 2111 within the projectile becomes mixed andmoves relatively freely within the projectile. It is noted that theglue/solvent is not illustrated in FIG. 20 because they are cut awayviews of the projectile system 2110. Also, not illustrated are theremnants of the membranes 2120, 2121 in, for example, FIG. 3 followingrupture of the membranes 2120, 2121, as just described.

Membranes can be utilized to aid in filling any of the projectilesdepicted and/or described herein. Alternatively, a thin membrane bag ofirritating substance can be placed in the frangible body to accomplishfilling. The membrane bag readily ruptures upon projectile impact withthe target such that the substance within the membrane bag is dispersed.

In an alternative preferred assembly method, illustrated in FIG. 21, amandrel 2126 or other similar tool, may be employed to mechanicallycompress or tamp the powdered substance 2111 a, 2111 b within each ofthe nose 2113 and body 2112 to retain the substance therein during theremainder of the assembly process. In FIG. 21, the nose 2113 is shown ashaving had its contents 2111 a compressed, while the body 2112 is shownwith the mandrel 2126 therein. It will be appreciated by those of skillin the art that the mandrel or other similar tool may be, and preferablyis, a part of a machine (not illustrated) used to mechanically assemblethe projectile in accordance herewith. The compressing of the substanceto facilitate assembly of the projectile can be utilized in any of theprojectiles depicted and/or described herein. Other methods for loadingthe substance into projectiles can be employed, such as inserting thesubstance through a fill hole in the projectile (e.g., see FIGS. 23-24and 26-27 and the accompanying description below), loosely compressingthe substance through mechanical and/or vacuum compaction into a desiredform (e.g., spherical, semi-spherical, cone shaped, and other shapesdepending on the projectile into which the compressed substance is to beplaced), and other similar methods.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a flow chart is shown illustrating in detailpreferred methods of assembly of a projectile system 2110, in accordanceherewith, wherein the projectile system 2110 is formed from a nose 2113and body 2112, the structures of which are described above, whichprojectile 2110 contains a substance, such as a powder substance,especially a powdered inhibiting substance, and most preferably apowdered capsaicinoid or oleoresin capsicum composition. The methodillustrated includes some of the preferred alternatives for assembly.

Thus, in a preferred method, the nose 2113 and body 2112 are fabricatedusing suitable molding or forming techniques (Block 702), and each isfilled (Block 704) to about 90% of its volume with the substance 2111,to be delivered to the target, especially a powdered substance, and mostpreferably an inhibiting powdered substance. In one alternative, a thinmembrane 2120, 2121 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) is then placed (Block 706)into each of the nose 2113 and body 2112 to cover the substance 2111contained therein. In some embodiments, the substance is compressedprior to or during the insertion of the membrane. In addition to or in asecond alternative a mandrel 2126, or other tool, is used tomechanically compress the substance within the nose and body (Block705). At this point in the method, nose and body are substantially asshown in FIGS. 19 and/or 21, with and without membranes, respectively.

In practice, one or both of the nose and body, after having beenmechanically compressed and/or covered by the membranes, are thenpreferably rotated to align with the other or with one another, andbrought together (Block 708). For example, the nose can be filled, thesubstance compressed and covered by a membrane, the body filled and thesubstance compressed, then the nose rotated to align with the body, andthen brought down onto the body.

The nose and body are then preferably sealed to one another (Blocks 709,710, 712, 714), such as using ultrasonic welding techniques (Block 709),or using an appropriate solvent or glue (Block 710) or by snapping thenose and body together (Block 712), or other similar techniques orcombinations of these and other techniques. For example, if polystyreneis used to construct part or all of the nose and/or body, many knownsolvents are available that will dissolve the polystyrene just enough toresult in sealing of the same as the plastic hardens upon evaporation ofthe solvent. Polystyrene is commonly used for plastic models, and thus,various modeling glues are available that provide suitable sealing. Withrespect to the alternative of sealing, the snapping together, such asusing interlocking flanges, is described and depicted in detail in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,965,839 and 6,393,992, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/146,013, each previously incorporated earlier in their entirety.

The method of assembly can be utilized in any of the projectilesdepicted and/or described herein.

In embodiments employing membranes, the membranes 2120, 2121 (see FIGS.19 and 20) are selected to be strong enough to retain the substance 2111a, 2111 b within the nose 2113 and body 2112, respectively, as the twoare joined, yet thin enough to readily rupture on or before impact ofthe projectile system 2110 with the target. Most preferable, in thisregard, are thin, circular cut, paper membranes that will tensionagainst respective inner walls of the nose and/or body sufficiently toretain the substances 2111 a, 2111 b therein. For example, the membranemay tension within an interior scoring of the nose and/or body wheresuch is provided. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the membranes useful in these embodiments may be formed of anynumber of materials, including for example, paper, plastic or otherpolymer, rubber, cork foam sponge and the like. Generally, the membraneswill be cut to have a shape similar to the shape of the hollowedportions of the nose and/or body, for example circular. The membranesare typically slightly larger than the interior circumference orperimeter of the nose and body at the point where the membrane is tocontact that interior surface. Thus, when placed into the nose and bodyand, preferably, compressed, the membrane will tension against theinterior surface of the nose and/or body and thereby retain thesubstance therein. For example, the membranes are preferably frombetween about 1 to about 5 mm thick, most preferably about 3 mm;however, other thickness are likewise contemplated herein, especiallydepending upon the specific substance contained within the projectile.For example, where both a liquid and a powdered substance are to beincluded in the projectile, it may be advantageous to provide a slightlythicker membrane to insure separation of the two substances untilrupture of the projectile on or about the target.

Various preferred embodiments of the projectile systems 2110, 2210 areconstructed wherein the nose 2113, 2220 and/or body 2112, 2222 includestructurally weakening features or fracture points on the exteriorand/or interior surfaces thereof, which fracture points primarilyfacilitate rupture of the nose 2113, 2220 and/or body 2110, 2222 uponimpact with a target. These fracture points can be implemented similarto weakening features or fracture points described and depicted in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,965,839 and 6,393,992, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/146,013, each previously incorporated by reference above.

The fracture points can be one or more dimples, a pattern of exteriorand/or interior dimples, scoring, a matrix pattern of exterior and/orinterior scoring, and other such fracture points. These fracture pointsserve the tripartite purposes of facilitating rupture of at least partof the projectile, atomization of the substance (e.g., inhibitingsubstance) upon impact with the living target, and of decreasing dragand increasing lift during flight of the projectile system.

Referring next to FIG. 23, an illustration is shown of the components ofa three-part projectile or projectile system 2310 as a variation of theprojectiles of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and/or FIG. 16 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, while referring toFIG. 23, concurrent reference is made to FIG. 25, which is a flowchartshowing a process 1400 for one embodiment of the steps performed inassembling and filling the three-part projectile of FIG. 23.

Shown in FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a nose 2313, a lid 618 anda portion of the body 2312 of a three-part projectile 2310. The lid 618may also be referred to as a third part 618. The body 2312 and the nose2313 are similar to the noses and bodies described above. As an initialstep in the assembly of the three-part projectile, the parts of thethree-part projectile are fabricated (Step 1402 of FIG. 25), usingsimilar techniques as described with reference to FIG. 22. The body 2312can include a flange 800 that is designed to mate with a flange 802 ofthe nose 2313. These flanges 800 and 802 may snap together, gluedtogether, or otherwise be bonded together, e.g. ultrasonic bonding,similar to the techniques described with reference to FIG. 22 and in theformation of hermetic seals.

Furthermore, the nose 2313 includes a fill hole 614 formed at a pole ofthe hemispherical nose. The fill hole includes a flange 616 at itsperimeter that is designed to receive the lid or third part 618. The lid618 includes a rim 620 that is adapted to be inserted into the fill hole614 against the flange 616 such that the top surface of the lid 618 fitspreferably flush with the exterior surface of the nose 2313. Note also,that the nose 2313 has interior surface scorings 47, in a longitudinaland/or latitudinal pattern formed within the nose 2313. In someembodiments, similar scoring can additionally be included within thebody 2112. Such interior scorings 47 are not required, but are preferredsince they provide a controlled fracturing of the nose and/or projectilewhich optimizes the dispersal of substances contained therein. Properdispersion allows the irritant cloud to expand from the contact area tothe fade region of the target.

The addition of the fill hole 618 formed in the nose 2113 advantageouslyallows for a simple and effective operation of filling the projectile2310 with either liquid or powder substances in a manner wherein amajority of the volume contained within the projectile is filled withthe substances. For example, using the three-part projectile, the cavitymay be filled with at least 90% of its interior volume with either aliquid or a powder substance.

The three-part projectile is manufactured by adhering and sealing thebody 2312 to the nose 2313 (Step 1404 of FIG. 25) similarly as describedabove with reference to FIG. 22, for example, by snapping, gluing,ultrasonic welding and/or otherwise bonding the body to the nose andincludes forming hermetic seals as well. Then, the substance orsubstances to be delivered within the projectile are inserted into thevolume of the combination of the body and the nose through the fill hole614 in the nose 2313 (Step 1406 of FIG. 25).

The fill hole 614 is large enough such that the substance, whetherliquid or powder, may be poured into the projectile without spilling, atleast when properly filled. Advantageously, the fill hole is largeenough such that spillage rarely occurs with the proper techniques, forexample, using a pipe, funnel, automatically or manually driven augersystem, or similar pouring and/or guiding device. As an optional step,particularly for use with a powdered substance, the powdered substanceis compressed (Step 1408 of FIG. 25), for example, with a mandrel orsimilar object that can be placed within the fill hole 614 tomechanically compress the powder within the volume of body and nose.Then, typically, the volume is refilled (Step 1410 of FIG. 25), whichfills the remainder of the volume with the substance, or at least fillsthe volume to a desired level. Thus, the projectile may literally befilled until almost the entire interior volume of the projectile istaken up by the substance or substances, e.g. at least 80%, or at least90% or even at least 98%. Advantageously, a higher fill allows theprojectile to fly farther and in a straighter flight path because, atleast in part, the center of gravity is in a proper position relative tothe center of pressure.

Once the substance is filled into the projectile 2310, the lid 618 isplaced or positioned into the fill hole 614 (Step 1412 of FIG. 25) suchthat the rim 620 extends into the interior volume of the nose 2313 andfits snugly against the flange 616 of the nose. The exterior surface ofthe lid 618 is then substantially flush with the exterior surface of thenose, typically after gluing, ultrasonic welding or other bonding. Tocomplete the assembly of the three-part projectile system, the lid orthird part 618 is fixed and sealed within the fill hole 614 (Step 1414of FIG. 25), for example, by adhering, snapping the lid into the fillhole, heat bonding, ultrasonically bonding, friction bonding, or otherwise bonding the lid within the fill hole 614 such as described abovewith reference to FIG. 22. In preferred embodiments, a hermetic seal iscreated between the body 2312 and the nose 2313, as well as between thelid 618 and the fill hole 614. Thus, at completion of the assembly athree-part projectile is created.

It is noted that the use of membranes, such as described above, or otherdevices to hold a substance or substances within respective halves, isnot required. This provides a much simpler assembly. Furtheradvantageously, a single projectile design will support the filling ofboth liquid substances and powder substances. Thus, a manufacturer doesnot need to design two types of projectiles, one to be filled with aliquid substance and one to be filled with a powder substance.

The method of assembly shown in FIG. 25 can be utilized in substantiallyany of the projectiles having fill holes depicted and/or describedherein.

Referring next to FIG. 24, a perspective view is shown of the lid 618 ofthe three-part projectile of FIG. 23. The lid 618 or third part 618includes an exterior surface and a rim 620 that is adapted to extendinto the volume of the nose. Although the lid 618 may simply be a cutoutfrom the nose, e.g. like a pumpkin lid, the lid is preferably andadvantageously formed separately to include the rim 620, which aids inthe sealing between the second part 610 and the lid 618.

Referring back to FIG. 23, the nose 2313 is similar in materials,dimensions and manufacture to those previously described, but employsthe matrix pattern of interior global scoring 47. The scoring is shownas interior scoring; however, exterior scoring can alternatively oradditionally be utilized. The scoring provides a lattice of structuralweak points at which the nose casing can burst upon impact with thetarget.

In one embodiment, the scoring 47 is preferably “V”-shaped incross-section with an angled or slightly flat bottom portion of the “V”providing a basal portion of such scoring. The scoring preferably has aminimum depth of about 10% to 75%, e.g. 20% to 40% of the thickness ofthe nose casing or shell 2313 depending on the thickness of the noseshell.

Preferably, there are from between about 1 and 10, e.g., between 2 and6, circumferential (i.e., latitudinal) scores and from between about 2and 10, e.g., between 6 and 8 longitudinal scores in the surface of thenose and/or body so as to provide omnidirectional atomization of theinhibiting substance upon impact and a maximal decrease in drag andincrease in lift for the projectile.

Referring next to FIG. 26, a side view is shown of an embodiment of avariation of the projectile of FIGS. 1-4, illustrating fins 1802 coupledto a portion of the projectile 1800 so as to assist in stabilizing theflight of the projectile. Shown is the projectile 1800 including a firstpart or body 604, a second part or nose 610, a third part or lid 618,and fins 1802. Also shown are optional structurally weakening features,such as scorings, for example, latitudinal and longitudinal scorings 48and 49. In this embodiment, the body 604 is generally hemispherical,similar to that of the nose 610. As such, the body and nose formapproximately a sphere. The internal hollow portion 2116 (see FIG. 3) ofthe body 604 is configured to be similar to the internal portion of thenose 610 (as described above) providing a generally spherical internalcavity 2114 (not shown).

The fins 1802 may be individual fins that are attached, bonded, ormolded to a portion of the projectile body, so as to help stabilize theprojectile 1800 in flight in order to increase the range of theprojectile 1800. The fins 1802 may be made of the same material as theprojectile or other flexible material, such as rubber, urethane,polyethylene and other similar materials to withstand the launch loadswithout structurally failing. Furthermore, the fins 1802 may beindividual fins or may be a single fin body including more than one fin1802, for example, four fins 1802, that are attached or bonded to theprojectile body 604. Note that although shown as a three-partprojectile, the projectile 1800 may be a two-part projectile.

Referring next to FIG. 27, a side view is shown of a variation of theprojectiles of FIGS. 1-4 and 16, illustrating a three-part non-sphericalprojectile in which a body 1804 of the projectile 1900 is an integratedbody including stabilizing fins 1802. The projectile 1900 includes anose 610, a lid 618, fins 1802, and an elongated and/or tapering body1804. In some embodiments, the nose and body are formed as a singlecontinuous piece. Also shown are optional structurally weakeningfeatures, such as scorings, for example, latitudinal and longitudinalscorings 48 and 49.

The body 1804 in this embodiment is modified so as to be integrated withthe fins 1802 and is not hemispherical in shape. The modified body 1804is illustrated as cup shaped and is configured to carry a larger payloadof substance or material within the cavity of the projectile 1900 thanthe projectile 1800 of FIG. 26. Again, the fins 1802 add stability for agreater flight range as well as a greater payload of the projectile1900.

Referring next to FIGS. 28 and 29, end views are shown of variations ofthe stabilizing fins 1802 of FIGS. 1-4, 10, 16 and 17, illustratingstraight fins 1802 and curved fins 1802′, respectively. The view is, forexample, looking up underneath the views as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. Inone embodiment, straight fins 1802 may be implemented to stabilize theflight of the projectile. In another embodiment, curved fins 1802′ maybe implemented that add an additional radial stability or spinstabilization to the projectile in flight.

Advantageously, the projectile systems contemplated herein are muzzlesafe, that is they may be safely and effectively fired at close range,including, for example, at arm's length. In contrast, other long rangenon-lethal projectiles have not proven to be safe immediately outside amuzzle. A further important feature of the present projectile systems isthat they are not only easy to manufacture in large quantities, but theyare also very inexpensive compared with prior art projectiles.

The embodiments of FIGS. 28 and 29 can be fabricated in a mannersubstantially similar to the fabrication method illustrated in FIGS. 22and 25.

FIG. 30 depicts an exploded isometric view is shown of a projectilesystem in accordance with one embodiment. Shown are a shell 3000, apropulsion shock damper 3002, a primer 3004, and a projectile 3006. FIG.31 shows a side cross sectional view of the projectile system of FIG.30. Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the projectile system can include ashell 3000, a propulsion shock damper 3002, a primer 3004, and aprojectile 3006. The projectile 3006 shown in FIGS. 30-31 has agenerally spherical shape. However, substantially any projectile can beutilized within the system. For example, the projectile can have a shapesimilar to that described above and depicted in at least FIGS. 1 and 2.

In some embodiments, the shell 3000 includes only the primer 3004 as thepropellant. In contrast, generally, shells include both a primer and apowdered substance, e.g., gunpowder. In other embodiments, the shell3000 can include the primer 3004 and a small amount of gunpowder orother ignitable substance. For example, the shell 3000 can include up to50 grams of gunpowder in one embodiment.

The primer 3004 can be activated or ignited in multiple different ways.The method for igniting depends on the launching apparatus in which theprojectile system of FIGS. 30 and 31 are utilized. In some launchingapparatuses a hammer or other spring loaded device strikes an activator3008 that causing ignition of the primer upon impact of the hammer. Insome alternate launching apparatuses an electric charge or heatingelement can contact the activator 3008 or some other portion of theshell to initiate the ignition of the primer.

The propulsion shock damper is positioned inside of the shell along withthe projectile. The shock damper is placed in between the primer orother means for generating a propulsion force and the projectile 3006.In one embodiment, the shock damper has a large enough diameter suchthat it contacts the inner diameter of the shell. The contact with theshell establishes a seal between the shell 3000 and the shock damper3002. The established seal between the shell and the shock damper allowsa pressure to build up between the shock damper and the ignited primer3004 or other means for generating the propulsion force. The build uppressure provides a greater propulsion force to drive the projectile3005 from the shell and towards a desired target.

These embodiments can in some instances provide more consistentprojectile velocities than can be achieved with conventional projectileslaunched, for example, with gunpowder. Further, these embodiments cancause the launching of projectiles at reduced velocities compared withconventional projectiles, and typically within a fixed velocity rangethat is less than velocities of launched conventional projectiles. Someembodiments provide projectiles that can be launched from a conventionallauncher and/or firearm through conventional activation mechanisms tolaunch a projectile within a reduced range of velocity, such as lessthan 800 mph, and in some instances less than 300 mph. The primer 3004can be activated to generate a chemical explosion to propel theprojectile at velocities in the reduced velocity range. Further, someprojectile systems (such as the system shown in FIG. 30) can beactivated through a conventional firearm while still launching theprojectile within the desired, non-lethal velocities.

In some embodiments, a small amount of lubricant and or sealant, such asoil, graphite or other lubricant can be included along a length of theshell and/or at the established seal between the shock damper and theshell. The lubricant or sealant improves the established seal and/orreduces friction, and can allow for a more accurate and/or an increasedvelocity. In yet other embodiments, a liner can be placed on the insideof the shell. In this embodiment, the shock damper has a large enoughdiameter to contact the liner.

In the embodiment shown, the projectile 3006 is placed within the shell3000 such that the shock damper 3002 is separating the projectile 3006from the primer 3004. The projectile 3006 can be any such projectilesuch as is described herein. In one embodiment the projectile 3006 canbe any round projectile, such as a non-lethal projectile. The projectilecan further be at least partially hollow, and in some embodiments, thehollow portion can be filled with a substance, such as an inhibitingsubstance, a powdered substance, a marking agent or other suchsubstances. The non-inhibiting substance can comprises a capsaicinoid,e.g., oleoresin capsicum, synthetically produced nonivamide, PAVA,Capsaicin II, or the like. The inhibiting substance can include finelydispersed oil droplets in a powder or can be a crystalline form that ismicroscopically attached to the powder. In other embodiments theprojectile can include any of the projectiles found in application Ser.No. 10/146,013, filed entitled NON-LEATHAL PROJECTILE FOR STORING ANDLAUNCHING NON-LETHAL PROJECTILES, to Vasel et al., which is incorporatedherein in its entirety, including the specification, claims and figures.

In operation, the primer 3004 is ignited by any means. A force iscreated behind the shock damper 3002. The shock damper 3002 is forcedforward and propels the projectile 3006 out of the shell 3000. The shockdamper 3002 also generally is propelled out of the shell. The shockdamper 3002 is shaped in some embodiments such that it is not asaerodynamic as the projectile 3006 and thus, generally falls to theground well short of the intended target or the place which theprojectile 3006 strikes an object.

In some alternate embodiments, the launching apparatus in which theprojectile systems of FIGS. 30-31 are utilized can provide for anon-contact propulsion. In some of these embodiments, a magnetic fieldis generated that provides the propulsion force. The projectile 3006and/or the shock damper 3002 can include metal that reacts to thegenerated magnetic field so as to propel the projectile from theapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 32 a side cross sectional view is shown of the shockdamper 3002 similar to those shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. FIG. 33 is anisometric view of the shock damper shown in FIG. 32. In someembodiments, the shock damper 3002 includes hollow areas defined by twoopposing surfaces, a first surface 3010 and second surface 3012. Thefirst surface is typically positioned within the shell 3000 (see FIGS.30 and 31) facing the projectile 3006. Further, the first surface 3010has a curvature that corresponds with a curvature of the projectile. Asa result, the first surface 3010 of the shock damper 3002 contacts arelatively large area of the shock damper at least when the shock damperis forcing the projectile from the shell. The corresponding and/orcooperating curvature of the shock damper distributes the load of thepropulsion force across a relatively large area of the projectile.Because the projectile is typically at least partially frangible, thedistribution of the propulsion force avoids cracking and/or breaking theprojectile as the projectile is being propelled from the shell.

The second surface 3012 is also tapers from the edges of the propulsionshock damper towards a central axis. The tapering of FIGS. 30-33 areshow as being generally hemispherical. However, the tapering can besubstantially any tapering, such as a pyramid, ellipse or othertapering. The second surface is tapered to provide a concentration ofthe propulsion force from the ignited primer 3004 or other means forpropelling along the central axis of the shell, and typically the shockdamper and projectile. Concentrating the propulsion force enhances theforce applied to the projectile, improves accuracy, improves alignmentof the movement of the shock damper and/or projectile within the shell(and later along a bore, barrel and/or channel of a launching apparatusthat activates the primer 3004), and provides other similar advantages.

In some embodiments, the shock damper 3002 is made from a plasticmaterial, however, the shock damper 3002 can be made from many differentmaterials. For example, the shock damper 3002 can be made from acomposite, a metal, rubber, polymer, silicon, combinations there, and/orother known materials that can be formed into a desired shape.

In some embodiments, the shock damper 3002 is a cylinder that has beenhollowed out at the first hollow area defined by the first surface 3010and the second hollow area defined by the second surface 3012. Thelength of the shock damper may be varied for different lengths of theshell 3000, for different projectiles 3006, desired seal length betweenthe shell and the shock damper and other similar parameters. The shockdamper 3002 typically has a length that is less than the length of theshell. As previously stated, present embodiments may be used with manydifferent types and sizes of shells. As such, the shock damper can havesubstantially any desired dimensions to cooperate with substantially anysize shell and/or projectile. In another embodiment the shock damper3002 has a length less than 2 inches. In some embodiments for predefinedshells the shock damper has a length of between ⅛ of an inch and 1 inch,preferably between ¼ of an inch and ¾ of an inch, and in one preferredembodiment, the shock damper has a length of ⅝ of an inch.

Referring to FIG. 34, an exploded isometric view is shown of aprojectile system in accordance with one embodiment. Shown are a shell3100, a primer 3102, a propulsion shock damper 3104, a support structure3108, and a plurality of projectiles 3106.

In one embodiment the shell 3100 is a standard shotgun shell, however,the shell can be many other types of shells. The shell 3100 and theshock damper 3104 can be the same as the shock damper described withreference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In some embodiments, the shell 3100includes the primer 3102 that aids in igniting gunpowder located withinthe shell. In other embodiments, the primer 3102 is the only source ofpropulsion and no gunpowder is present in the shell 3100. Thisembodiment can provide more consistent projectile shot-to-shot velocitythan can be achieved with gunpowder. In some embodiments a small amountof gunpowder is present in the shell 3100. Some of these embodiments canbe configured with a larger amount of primer than gunpowder, to againprovide a more consistent projectile velocity. The reduced gunpowder orelimination of gun power can also provide a reduced muzzle blast andreduce heat generation and a safer non-lethal device. Further, thepropellant or primer 3102 can generate a force that propels theprojectile at non-lethal velocities. These velocities are typicallydependent on the projectile size, mass, and other similar factors.

The propulsion shock damper 3104 is placed inside the shell 3100 alongwith the support structure 3108 and the plurality of projectiles 3106.The shock damper 3104 can have substantially any shape the establishes aseal to enhance to propulsion force generated, for example, by theignition of the primer, the release of a compressed gas or othermethods. In some embodiments, the shock damper can be the same as one ofthe shock dampers shown in FIGS. 15 and 32-33.

In the embodiment shown, the support structure 3108 comprises two halvesthat partially surround and/or incases each of the projectiles 3106.Each of the two halves is approximately half of a cylinder, cut alongthe length such that each end of the half of the cylinder isapproximately half of a circle. In operation when inside of the shellthe support structure contacts the inside of the shell. In otherembodiments the support structure 3108 is not necessary and one or moreprojectiles can be placed inside of the shell 3100 with the shock damper3104 and no support structure 3108.

In operation, when the primer 3102 is ignited, the shock damper 3104,the support structure 3108 and the plurality of projectiles 3106 arepropelled from the shell 3100. The shock damper 3104 and the supportstructure 3108 will rapidly fall away from the projectiles 3106 as theymove through the air due to the more aerodynamic shape of theprojectiles 3106 and/or the greater mass of the projectiles. In oneexample, the projectiles 3106 are able to strike a target while theshock damper 3104 and the support structure 3108 fall to the groundbefore they reach the target. In a preferred embodiment, the velocity ofthe projectiles is very consistent from shot-to-shot because there isonly the primer 3102 in the shell 3100 (i.e., there is no gunpowderpropellant located within the shell 3100).

In other embodiments, the support structure 3108 can be modified toprovide a seal inside of the shell 3100 similar to the seal that iscreated by the shock damper 3104. In this embodiment, the shock damperis not necessary 3104. In yet other embodiments, the projectile itselfcan provide the seal and the shock damper 3104 and the support structure3108 are not necessary. For example, the projectile shown in FIG. 3 canbe modified such that the either the body 2112 and/or the nose 2113 forma seal. In this embodiment, the body 2112 or the nose 2113 have adiameter in at least one place along the length that is equal to theinner diameter of the shell. Preferably, the body 2112 or the nose 2113of the projectile have a diameter that is equal to the inner diameter ofthe shell that is at least ¼ of an inch long, more preferably ⅜ of aninch long, and in one embodiment any length less than 2 inches long.

FIG. 35 is a side cross-sectional view of the shock damper 3104 shown inFIG. 34. The shock damper includes a lip 3200, a first ridge 3202, and asecond ridge 3204. The lip generally tapers away from a central axis ofthe shock damper and has a diameter greater than the main body of theshock damper. The lip contacts the shell to at least in part establishthe desired seal. The ridges 3202, 3204 can further establish sealsbetween the shock damper and the shell. Further, the ridges addstructural support and strength to the shock damper.

In some embodiments, the shock damper 3104 can be a partially hollowedcylinder. The shock damper 3104 can be made from many differentmaterials as described above. In one preferred embodiment, the shockdamper is made from a plastic. The lip 3200, the first ridge 3202 andthe second ridge 3204 can all have a diameter that is equal to that ofthe inside of the shell 3100, shown in FIG. 34. The shock damper 3104and the shell 3100 thus provide a seal in-between the primer and the oneor more projectiles, such that when the primer is ignited a force isgenerated behind the shock damper 3104 and forces both the shock damper3104 and the projectiles 3106 from the shell 3100.

In alternative embodiments, the entire length of the propulsion shockdamper 3104 has substantially the same diameter as the inside diameterof the shell 3100. As described above, the shell 3100 can additionallyhave a liner positioned inside. When the shell is equipped with theliner, the shock damper 3104 and the liner form a seal in-between theprimer and the projectiles. The length of the shock damper 3104 can bevaried, and in some embodiments, the length of the shock damper 3104 canaffect the accuracy of the projectiles 3106. In the embodiment shown,the shock damper 3104 is approximately ⅜ of an inch. In some embodimentsthe shock damper can be lengthened to provide a more even force on theprojectiles 3106 when the primer 3102 is ignited.

FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the propulsion shock damper shownin FIG. 35 taken at A-A of FIG. 35. Shown are the first ridge 3202 and asupport structure 3208. The support structure can include ribbing orincreased thickness. The shock damper 3104 shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 canalso be used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

In the embodiment shown, the shock damper 3104 is a hollow cylinderbetween the lip 3200 and the first ridge 3202. The second ridge is solidcap or lid. The support structure 3208 can be formed on the cap or lid.Additionally or alternatively, the area between the first ridge 3202 andthe second ridge 3204 contains the support structure 3208 shown in FIG.36. In an alternative embodiment, the propulsion shock damper can besolid throughout and have one or more lips attached thereto.

Advantageously, the lip 3200 and the ridges 3202, 3204 provide for aseal as it contacts the inside of the shell 3100.

FIG. 37 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus 3710 according to some embodiments. The apparatusincludes a frame, hull or shell 3712. A gas filled capsule 3714 ismaintained within the hull and positioned generally near a first end of3716 of the hull. In some embodiments, the capsule 3714 is typicallypositioned within a cavity 3720 of the hull so that the capsule canslide within the cavity towards a puncture pin or tube 3722. Thepuncture pin is fixed within the hull 3712. Upon sliding forward, thecapsule contacts the pin 3722 to be punctured such that pressurized gascontained within the capsule is released and forced through the pin3722.

The launching apparatus 3710 further includes a launch bore or barrel3730 in which one or more projectiles 3740 are positioned. In someembodiments, the projectile 3740 can include a body 3742, a propulsioncavity or chamber 3744, and a nose cavity 3746. A shell 3750 of the nosecavity is typically at least partially frangible. For example, the shell3750 of the nose cavity can include fracture lines (not shown) similarto those described above with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 10, 23 and otherfigures. The nose cavity 3746 can be filled with substantially anysubstance to be dispersed as the projectile contacts a target. Forexample, the substance can include an inhibiting substance, a markingsubstance and other such substances, such as those described above. Asdescribed above, the nose cavity 3746 can be filled to substantially anylevel. The nose cavity is filled, in some embodiment, to over 50% byvolume, while some embodiments have nose cavities filled to over 90%.

In some embodiments, the shell 3750 can include a fill aperture and lid3752, and/or the shell can have two or more parts that are sealedtogether. The projectile can be made of substantially any materialand/or combination of materials, such as acrylic, vinyl, plastic,polystyrene and/or other polymers, sodium alginate, calcium chloride,coated alginate and/or polyvinyl alginate (PVA), rubber, metals,composites, graphite, silicon and other similar materials. For example,the body 3742 can be made of a rubber ad the shell 3750 of the nose canbe made of plastic. The rubber body in some embodiments can absorbs someof the initial propulsion force applied to the projectile so as to avoidbreaking or cracking the nose shell 3750 upon launching.

The projectile 3740 is positioned within the barrel 3730 such that aninlet 3754 of the propulsion cavity 3744 is at least generally alignedwith an exit port of the pin 3722. In some embodiments, the pin 3722extends at least partially within the inlet. The pin can, in someembodiments, removably secured within the inlet, such as a snap fit thatreleases when a predefined separation pressure is applied. As the gas isforced from the capsule 3714 and through the pin, the gas enters thepropulsion cavity 3744. A sufficient amount of gas is maintained withinthe capsule so that upon puncturing, the released gas fills thepropulsion cavity until a sufficient pressure is achieved within thepropulsion cavity and the barrel 3730 to propel the projectile from thebarrel at a desired velocity. In some embodiments the projectile has adiameter or width that is about equal, or at portions slightly greaterthan the diameter of the barrel (such as a lip similar to lip 3200 ofFIG. 35) so that a seal is established between the projectile 3740 andthe barrel 3730 similar to the seal established between the shell orcasing and propulsion shock dampers of FIGS. 30-34.

Because of the increased pressure within the barrel 3730, the propulsioncavity 3744 contains gas or gases at a pressure that is typicallygreater than atmospheric pressure. As the projectile leaves the barrel,the gases begin to be expelled from the propulsion cavity 3744 throughthe inlet 3754 due to the higher pressure within the propulsion cavity3744. The exiting gases aid in propelling the projectile 3740 along adesired path. The additional propulsion force provided by the exitinggases from the propulsion cavity provides an increased launch range ordistance of the projectile 3740.

The gas capsule 3714 can be moved along the cavity 3720 to contact thepuncture pin 3722 through several different methods. In some embodimentsa spring loaded hammer can contact the capsule or a protective platepositioned against the capsule to drive the capsule forward. In someembodiments, the projectile launching apparatus 3710 can include aprimer and/or other ignitable substance proximate the first end of 3716of the hull 3712. The primer can be ignited to generate a force thatdrives the capsule towards and in contact with the puncture pin 3722.The primer can be ignited through substantially any method such as aspring loaded hammer, an electric charge or other such methods.

In some alternative embodiments, the capsule does not move within thecavity 3720 and instead is fixed within the hull 3712. The capsuleincludes a valve that can be opened upon activation to release thepressurized gas within the capsule. The gas is forced through the pin ortube 3722 and into the propulsion cavity 3744 of the projectile.Alternatively, the puncture pin 3722 can be movable to be forced tocontact the gas capsule 3714. The gas propels the projectile withindesired velocity ranges. In some preferred embodiments, the projectileis launched at velocities less than 1000 mph, and in some embodiments atvelocities less than 500 mph.

FIG. 38 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus 3810 according to some embodiments. The apparatusincludes a frame, hull or shell 3812, a gas capsule 3814 positionedwithin a cavity 3820, a puncture pin 3822 and a bore or barrel 3830. Inthis implementation, one or more projectiles 3840-3841 can be positionedwithin the barrel 3830. In some embodiments, the barrel can include oneor more O-rings to maintain the positioning of the projectiles and toallow for an increased pressure within the barrel. Additionally and/oralternatively, the projectiles can be constructed with diameters orwidths that are about equal with the diameter or width of the barrel sothat a seal is formed between the barrel and the one or more projectiles3840, 3841.

In some embodiments, a support structure and/or padding 3844 ispositioned between the projectiles to prevent rupturing of theprojectiles, and in some instances distributes propulsion forces. Insome alternative embodiments one or more shock dampers, such as theshock dampers described above, can be employed to help propel theprojectiles. If a shock damper is employed between the pin 3822 andprojectiles and/or between the plurality of projectiles, a curvature ofthe surfaces can be configured to correspond with the shapes of theprojectiles 3840, 3841.

Still referring to FIG. 38, the gas capsule 3814 can be slidablypositioned within the cavity 3820 so as to slide into contact with thepuncture pin 3822. In some alternative embodiments, the pin can be movedinto contact with the capsule or the capsule can include a valve.

FIG. 39 depicts a simplified cross-sectional view of a projectilelaunching apparatus 3910 according to some embodiments. The apparatusincludes a frame, hull or shell 3912, a gas capsule 3914 positionedwithin a cavity 3920, a bore or barrel 3930, and a puncture pin 3822formed from and part of the hull 3912. In this implementation, theapparatus has a small or short length, with a reduced length barrel3930. A projectile 3940 is positioned within the barrel 3830. An O-ring3942 or ridge is included in and/or formed as part of the barrel. TheO-ring maintains the positioning of the projectiles and established anincreased pressure within the barrel before the projectile 3940 isreleased from the barrel.

A first end 3916 of the apparatus includes an aperture 3948 where aprimer can be position or a spring loaded hammer can pass to contact thegas capsule 3914. The ignited primer or hammer drives the capsule intothe pin 3822 such that the pressurized gas within the capsule isreleased through the pin and into the barrel. The projectile can besubstantially any projectile, such as a generally spherical projectilethat has a hollow portion. A substance can be incorporated into thehollow portion so as to be dispersed when the projectile contacts atarget. In some embodiments, shock dampers are not employed. Thiseliminates the ejection of the additional shock damper from theapparatus. In alternative embodiments, however, shock dampers can beemployed.

FIGS. 40-44 show projectiles 4010 according to some embodiments withtelescoping or extending sections 4012,4014. The extending sectionsallow the fins section 4020 to be extended away from the body 4022 ofthe projectile. The extending sections 4012, 4014 can be implemented insubstantially any relevant means.

FIGS. 40-42 show a projectile with a telescoping extending section 4012.The telescoping extending section 4012 can be positioned in a compressedconfiguration within the fins/tail section 4020 as depicting in FIG. 40.Alternatively, the telescoping extending section 4012 can be positionedin a compressed configuration within the body section 4022 as depictingin FIG. 42. Alternatively, the telescoping extending section can beposited partially within the body and partially within the fins/tailsection.

Upon launching the projectile, the fins section 4020 extends away fromthe body to the length of the extended telescoping section. Thisincreases the length of the projectile, and further increases the lengthto diameter ratio providing greater stability, and thus accuracy for theprojectile. The fins portion can be extended away from the body throughany number of relevant methods. For example, in some embodiments, thefins section can be extended away from the through air drag as theprojectile launched, launch gases, a spring or other means to force thefins section away from the body during launch or after leaving thelaunching device, or other similar means, or combinations of means.

In some embodiments, upon impact of the projectile 4010 with a target,the fins section 4020 is forced by momentum towards the body compressingthe telescoping extending section. As the telescoping extending sectionis compressed, air within the section can be forces into the body 4022of the projectile aiding in expelling and dispersing the one or moresubstances (e.g., inhibiting substance) from the body. In someembodiments, the fins section can also have an aerodynamic shape tolimit the drag. For example, the portion of the fins section closest tothe body 4022 when the extending section 4012 is extended can come to apoint at the intersection with the extending portion.

Similarly, the projectiles of FIGS. 43-44 include an extending rodsection 4014. The extending rod section can be positioned while theprojectile is in a compressed state, as shown in FIG. 43, with the rodpositioned partially within the fins/tail section 4020 and partiallywithin the body 4022.

As the projectile is launched, the fins section extends away form thebody to the length of the extending rod section 4014. Again, theextending away of the fins section increases the length of theprojectile and the length to diameter ratio. The fins section can beextended from the body through any number of methods as described abovewith reference to FIGS. 40-42. In some embodiments, the fins section canbe forced back towards the body upon impact of the projectile aiding inthe expelling and dispersing the one or more substances (e.g.,inhibiting substance) from the body. As described above, the finssection can also include an aerodynamic shapes portion 4024 that tapersaway from the extended portion 4014.

Referring to FIG. 45 a cross-sectional diagram is shown illustrating alow kinetics projectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. Theprimer launched projectile cartridge 4500 includes a shell 4502, aprimer 4504, a seal 4506, and a projectile 4508.

The seal 4506 is located between the primer 4504 and the projectile4508. In the present embodiment, there is very little (e.g., less than 5grams and preferably less than 1 gram) or no gunpowder present in thecartridge. In the preferred embodiment, the primer 4504 is primarilyused to accelerate the projectile 4508. As shown, the primer is astandard percussion primer 4504 such as is used in many fire arms.Alternatively, as will be shown and described herein below, the primer4504 is an electric primer.

In operation, the primer 4504 is ignited which builds up pressure behindthe seal 4506. The seal 4506 contacts an inner edge of the shell 4502,thus providing for substantial build-up of pressure in order to launchthe projectile 4508 and the seal 4506 from the cartridge 4500. Next, theseal 4506 and the projectile 4508 are launched from the cartridge 4500.Advantageously, by utilizing a primer only (or a very small amount ofgunpowder) launched projectile cartridge, the exit velocity of theprojectile 4508 is more consistent from cartridge to cartridge ascompared to a cartridge that uses gunpowder. Thus, in some embodimentsdescribed herein, the projectile is primarily launched by the energyfrom the primer. As referred to herein the projectile 4508 is primarilylaunched by the primer if the majority of the energy used to launch theprojectile 4508 is from the primer 4504. Additionally, a projectile witha low kinetics value can be launched in accordance with the presentembodiment, which is desirable in non-lethal systems.

Advantageously, in the embodiment shown, the combination of a primerlaunched projectile and the seal placed between the primer and theprojectile, provides low kinetics launch of the projectile that isconsistent from cartridge to cartridge and that has not been previouslyaccomplished.

Referring to FIG. 46 an exploded perspective diagram is shownillustrating a low kinetics projectile cartridge in accordance with oneembodiment. The cartridge 4600 includes a shell 4602, an electric primer4604, a rear mounting ring 4606, a percussion primer 4608, a seal 4610,and a projectile 4612.

The electric primer 4604 is located at the rear of the cartridge andbehind the percussion primer 4608. In front of the percussion primer4608 within the shell is the seal 4610 and then the projectile 4612.

In operation, the electric primer 4604 is ignited which is enough forceto ignite the percussion primer 4608. The combination of the electricprimer 4604 and the percussion primer 4608 being ignited heats gaswithin the cartridge and builds pressure behind the seal 4610 whichforces the seal 4610 and the projectile 4612 from the cartridge 4600.The seal 4610 is, for example, the seal described with reference toFIGS. 34-36.

Referring to FIG. 47 an exploded perspective diagram is shownillustrating a low kinetics projectile cartridge in accordance withanother embodiment. Shown is a shell 4702, a primer 4704, a seal 4706, aprojectile 4708, a chamber 4710 between the primer 4704 and the seal4706, and a weather sealant 4712.

The primer 4704 is an electric primer in accordance with the presentembodiment. The weather sealant 4710 is for example made from two piecesof Styrofoam and keeps moisture from entering into the cartridge. Theweather sealant 4710, shown in many of the described embodiments hereinbelow is optional and does not need to be included in the cartridge.Additionally, other materials may be used for the weather sealant 4710.In operation, the primer 4704 is ignited which builds pressure in thechamber 4710 behind the seal 4706. The seal 4706, the projectile 4708and the weather sealant 4712 are subsequently launched from thecartridge. The seal 4706 and the weather sealant 4712 are designed to bemuch less aerodynamic as compared to the projectile 4708 and thus,generally fall to the ground well short of the intended target.

Referring to FIG. 48 a perspective diagram is shown illustrating a dualelectric primer cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 49 isa side cross-sectional view of the dual electric primer cartridge shownin FIG. 48. Shown are a positive contact 4802, a negative contact 4804,a retaining screw 4806, a printed circuit board 4808, a first primer4810, a second primer 4812, a chamber 4814, a seal 4816, a projectile4818, an weather sealant 4820, and a shell 4822.

The first primer 4810 and the second primer 4812 are used in conjunctionwith, for example, heavier projectiles than those that are used with thesingle primer cartridge (such as is shown in FIG. 46). The first primer4810 and the second primer 4812, while providing more energy than asingle primer, also provide a consistent energy level for launching theprojectile as compared to using a single primer in combination withgunpowder, such as is done in prior systems. Gunpowder will burndifferently from cartridge to cartridge and thus the prior systems werenot able to achieve a consistent low kinetics launch of the projectile.

The printed circuit board 4808 is used to ignite the first primer 4810and the second primer 4812 simultaneously. Additionally, the printedcircuit board enables the ignition of the first primer 4810 and thesecond primer 4812 with a standard trigger while having the first primer4810 and the second primer 4812 off center from the axis of thecartridge. The printed circuit board will be described herein in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 51A-C.

Referring to FIG. 50, a diagram is shown illustrating a dual primer,flameless cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a shell5002, a printed circuit board 5004, a first electric primer 5006, asecond electric primer 5008, a burning chamber 5010, a tube 5012, anexpansion chamber 5014, a diaphragm 5016, a first projectile 5018, asecond projectile 5020 and a weather sealant 5022.

The printed circuit board 5004 is located at a rear of the cartridge andprovides positive and negative contacts for igniting the first electricprimer 5006 and the second electric primer 5008. The printed circuit5004 board will be described herein with reference to FIGS. 51A-C.

In operation, the first electric primer 5006 and the second electricprimer 5008 heat gas in the burning chamber 5010. The heated gas travelsdown the tube 5012 and builds pressure in the expansion chamber 5006behind the diaphragm 5016. The tube 5012 is thin enough such that theflame front from the first electric primer 5006 and the second electricprimer 5008 is suppressed and/or does not travel down the tube 5012. Forexample, in one embodiment, the tube 5012 is 1/16 of an inch indiameter. Different tube diameters are also utilized in alternativeembodiments depending upon the energy and number of primers that areutilized. Advantageously, because no flame is projected from thecartridge, the cartridge may not be classified as a firearm.

As the gas travels down the tube 5012, the gas cools and builds up inthe expansion chamber 5014 behind the diaphragm 5016. The diaphragm 5016is used to contain the gas within the expansion chamber 5014 until aspecific pressure is built up within the expansion chamber 5014. Thediaphragm 5016 then ruptures and the first projectile 5018, the secondprojectile 5020, and the weather sealant 5022 are launched from thecartridge. The burst diaphragm may be made of many substances well knownin diaphragm design. The present embodiments employ materials havingthicknesses that allow desired pressure buildup before rupture occurs.The inventors have found that Mylar diaphragm materials, for example,have consistent burst characteristics in the pressure ranges forlaunching projectiles as described above. Different diaphragmthicknesses can be used depending on the desired burst pressure, gasflow rate, projectile mass, barrel length desired muzzle velocity, andthe like. For example, some embodiments use about 0.001 inches to about0.100 inch thick Mylar, while some preferred embodiments use Mylar witha thickness of about 0.003 to about 0.004 inches. Because the diaphragm5016 consistently breaks at a predetermined pressure and the firstprimer 5006 and the second primer 5008 are used, preferably withoutgunpowder, the first projectile 5018 and the second projectile 5020 canbe launched with a low kinetics value consistently from cartridge tocartridge. While, the embodiment shown includes the first projectile andthe second projectile, one or more projectiles can be utilized with thedescribed cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 51A, a front view of a circuit board is illustrated inaccordance with one embodiment. FIG. 51B is a cross-sectional view ofthe printed circuit board along line A-A of FIG. 51A. FIG. 51C is a rearview of the printed circuit board shown in FIG. 51A. Shown is a positivecontact pad 5102, a negative contact pad 5104, a first mounting hole5106, a second mounting hole 5108, a positive via 5110, a negative via5112, a first primer contact 5114, a second primer contact 5116 and anegative return contact 5120.

The printed circuit board is used in conjunction with a standardactivating means for an electric primer. Generally, a single electricprimer in conjunction with gunpowder is utilized in a fire arm. Theelectric primer is used to ignite the gunpowder which propels thebullet. The electric primer is positioned in the middle of the cartridgeto provide for substantially uniform burning of the gunpowder. However,in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 48-50, two primers are used to launcha non-lethal projectile having a low kinetics value. Therefore, there isa need to ignite both of the primers at essentially the same time whileusing a standard center contact pin that is generally used with a singleelectric primer.

The first mounting hole 5106 and the second mounting hole 51068 are usedto secure the printed circuit board to a metal disk which the primershave been, for example, press fitted onto.

The positive contact pad 5102 is located on the front side of theprinted circuit board and is positioned in the center of the printedcircuit board. The negative contact pad 5104, also located on the frontside of the printed circuit board, is shaped as a ring around the outeredge of the printed circuit board. The positive via 5110 travels throughthe printed circuit board and splits to contact both the first primercontact 5114 and the second primer contact 5116 which are located on theback side of the printed circuit board. The negative contact pad 5104 iscoupled to the negative return pad contact 5120 through the negative via5112. This provides a negative return path from the primer case contact,through the negative return contact 5120 and back to the negativecontact pad 5104 on the front of the printed circuit board.Alternatively, conductive mounting pins are used to mount the printedcircuit board to the metal disk into which the primers are mounted. Thisprovides a return ground path through the conductive mounting pins thatcontact the negative contact pad 5104 on the front of the printedcircuit board. It should be understood, that the embodiment shown hasbeen described in terms of having positive and negative contacts,however, the positive and negative contacts can be switched in analternative embodiment.

Thus, the printed circuit board provides a means for igniting twoprimers in a cartridge using a single contact pin.

Referring to FIG. 52, a diagram is shown illustrating a heated gasprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 52 showsthe cartridge before being ignited. FIG. 53 shows the heated gasprojectile cartridge of FIG. 52 just after the primer has been ignited.Shown is shell 5202, an gas filled capsule 5204, an electric primer5206, a puncture pin 5208, an expansion chamber 5210, a diaphragm 5212,an orifice plate 5214, a first projectile 5216, a second projectile 5218and a weather sealant 5220.

The electric primer 5206 is positioned behind the gas filled capsule5204. The gas filled capsule 5204 is filled with, for example, carbondioxide or other gas. The puncture pin 5208 is aligned with the gasfilled capsule 5204 within the shell 5202. In operation, the primer 5206is ignited which propels the gas filled capsule 5204 forward into thepuncture pin 5208. FIG. 53 shows the gas filled capsule 5204 after beingpropelled forward into the pin 5208. Gas from the gas filled capsule5204 is released into the expansion chamber 5210. Advantageously, thegas is simultaneously heated by the energy from the primer 5206 and alsoservers to suppress the flame front and/or extinguish the flame causedby igniting the primer 5206. As is shown in FIG. 62, heating the gasgreatly increases the pressure caused by the gas, thus a relativelysmall amount of gas can be utilized as compared to using non-heated gasto launch the first projectile 5216 and the second projectile 5218. Thisis further described herein with reference to FIG. 62.

Pressure builds up in the expansion chamber 5210 until the diaphragm5212 breaks. The gas then travels through the orifice plate 5214 whichdisperses the gas from the center of the shell so that the pressure fromthe gas is dispersed over the first projectile 5216 in a more evenmanner as compared to, for example, the cartridge shown and describedbelow with reference to FIG. 58. The orifice plate 5214 is solid nearthe center axis of the shell and has a plurality of holes near theperiphery of the shell. This disperses high velocity gas in center ofthe shell to the periphery of the cartridge. The pressure on the firstprojectile 5216 is thus loaded at a curved portion of the projectilerather than at a 90 degree angle to the first projectile 5216.Additionally, the orifice plate 5214 reduces the peak acceleration ofthe projectiles. This prevents the first projectile 5216 or anyadditional projectiles from breaking due to the contract pressure of thegas or from the contact pressure between the projectiles.

Referring to FIG. 54, a diagram is shown illustrating a heated gasprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 54 showsthe cartridge before being ignited. FIG. 55 shows the heated gasprojectile cartridge of FIG. 54 just after the primer has been ignited.Shown is shell 5402, a gas filled capsule 5404, an electric primer 5406,a puncture pin 5408, an expansion chamber 5410, a diaphragm 5412, aprojectile 5414 and a weather sealant 5416.

The cartridge shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 functions in the same manner asthe cartridge described above with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53. In theembodiment shown, the orifice plate has been removed because theprojectile shown can withstand a much greater acceleration withoutbreaking during the acceleration. Therefore, the orifice plate is notbeneficial for the purpose of slowing down the peak acceleration of theprojectile. However, the orifice plate is still included in analternative embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 56, a diagram is shown illustrating a heated gasprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 56 showsthe cartridge before being ignited. FIG. 57 shows the heated gasprojectile cartridge of FIG. 56 just after the primer has been ignited.Shown is shell 5602, a gas filled capsule 5604, an electric primer 5606,a puncture pin 5608, an expansion chamber 5610, a projectile 5612 and aweather sealant 5614.

The cartridge shown in FIGS. 56 and 57 functions in the same manner asthe cartridge described above with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53. In theembodiment shown, the orifice plate and the diaphragm have been removed.Thus, as is shown, the diaphragm is not included in some embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 58, a diagram is shown illustrating a heated gasprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 58 showsthe cartridge before being ignited. FIG. 59 shows the heated gasprojectile cartridge of FIG. 58 just after the primer has been ignited.Shown is shell 5802, a gas filled capsule 5804, an electric primer 5806,a puncture pin 5808, an expansion chamber 5810, a diaphragm 5812, afirst projectile 5814, a second projectile 5816 and a weather sealant5818.

The cartridge shown in FIGS. 58 and 59 functions in the same manner asthe cartridge described above with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53. In theembodiment shown, the orifice plate has been removed. While in manyembodiments, the orifice plate is preferred it is not a necessarycomponent for all embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 60, a diagram is shown illustrating a heated gasprojectile cartridge in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 60 showsthe cartridge before being ignited. FIG. 61 shows the heated gasprojectile cartridge of FIG. 60 just after the primer has been ignited.Shown is shell 6002, a gas filled capsule 6004, an electric primer 6006,a puncture pin 6008, an expansion chamber 6010, a first projectile 6012,a second projectile 6014 and a weather sealant 6016.

The cartridge shown in FIGS. 58 and 59 functions in the same manner asthe cartridge described above with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53. In theembodiment shown, the diaphragm and the orifice plate have been removed.While in many embodiments, the diaphragm and the orifice plate arepreferred they are not a necessary components for all embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 62 a graph is shown illustrating the relationshipbetween carbon dioxide pressure verses a percentage fill andtemperature. The graph demonstrates the greatly increased pressure ofcarbon dioxide with a fairly small increase in the temperature of thecarbon dioxide (CO2). Thus, the embodiments described herein withreference to FIGS. 52-61 are able to use the combination of the gasfilled capsule and the primer in order to obtain a substantial pressureincrease as compared to the pressure obtained from the gas when theprimer is not present in the cartridge.

Boyles and Charles Laws state that a pressure of a gas is inverselyproportional to the gas volume and directly proportional to the gastemperature. As you compress a gas, the gas's pressure goes up and thegas's volume goes down. Heating a contained volume of gas will increasethe gas's pressure.

It is known that under compression of about 850 psi, CO2 gas is a liquidif the CO2's temperature is below about 89 degrees Fahrenheit. This isshown in FIG. 62. Above this temperature, CO2 liquid vaporizes into agas and the gas pressure begins to build rapidly with increases intemperature. Because of this gas temperature-pressure relationship, CO2is often used to launch projectiles as in paintball technology using alarge storage bottle with a feed hose, valve and metering mechanism forthe CO2 gas. When the paintball launcher using CO2 are triggered a highof volume of liquid CO2 fog is observed exiting the barrel. Thisnon-vaporized CO2 “fog” has a gas pressure near 850 psi. However, inorder to use a separate CO2 container for each projectile launch, suchas in the cartridges shown in FIGS. 52-61, in order to launch aprojectile at velocities useful in non-lethal technology, at roomtemperatures (near 70 degrees), a rather large CO2 container would beneeded. This would make the cartridge and launcher size large, bulky andimpractical.

Therefore, by heating the CO2 substantially above 89 degrees Fahrenheitwhen released from the container by utilizing the heat from the primer,the container is able to be proportionately smaller for the resultantsame projectile muzzle velocity.

These embodiments described herein provide a novel method and apparatusthat uses the pressure and heat energy of a primer to not only releasethe CO2 gas in the CO2 cartridge (also referred to herein as the gascapsule), but to heat up the released CO2 gas by absorbing heat from theignited primer. The CO2 gas in turn extinguishes the burning gases whileabsorbing heat content. The resultant heated higher pressure CO2 is safebecause it is non-burning (no fire), is at a higher pressure because itis heated and provides higher muzzle velocities because of the higherpressure. Thus, the initial volume of the CO2 container can be reducedand the CO2 cartridge can be reduced. Additionally, the launcher for thecartridge can be reduced in size, thus making a CO2 cartridge withprojectile more practical.

Alternatively, nitrogen containers can be utilized, however, becausenitrogen is a gas at similar temperatures and pressures, less increasedpressure will result from heating the nitrogen with the primer. Thenitrogen will extinguish the burning primer gases. These embodimentsdescribed also may lead to the cartages not being classified as afirearm which is beneficial for non-lethal projectiles.

The present embodiments provide for many advantages over prior artdevices. For example, the projectile systems described herein thatoperate without gunpowder, e.g., a primer only projectile system,provide a system that has a more accurate shot to shot velocity thanother prior art devices. For non-lethal projectiles this can be veryimportant so as to prevent harming a target more than wanted, or toprevent impacting a target with a projectile that is traveling at aspeed greater than desired.

The present embodiments solve many of the significant disadvantages inmany prior art devices. For example, one of the disadvantages of manyprior devices is that they do not take into consideration the need todeliver an inhibiting (or active) substance under fairly precisedispersal conditions to insure effectiveness thereof. When a target isimpacted with a projectile delivering a substance thereto, to bemaximally effective, the substance should disperse in a generally radialmanner (or transverse to the motion of the projectile) such that thetarget's face is quickly and fully contacted thereby as provided by thepresent embodiments.

The present embodiments, at the same time, can be aimed with a degree ofprecision so as to be able to avoid hitting the target in, for example,the face. Further, the present embodiment provides sufficient dispersionof the inhibiting substance so that, for example, a projectile impactingon a target's chest delivers inhibiting substance to the target's facewhere it can be effective. Many prior projectiles, not only rarelycontemplate these problems, but also frequently fail to provide fordispersal of the inhibiting substance to a target's face after impactingthe target at a remote area.

More specifically, for example, while powdered inhibiting substances, inthe view of the inventors, offer distinct advantages over the vastmajority of prior devices that deliver inhibiting substances to atarget, most prior devices fail to address the problem of bothaccurately delivering the projectile to the target at a location remotefrom the target's face, and dispersing a powered inhibiting substance ina cloud-like, radial manner so as to assure that the powdered inhibitingsubstance reaches the target's face. The present embodiments is capableof providing tactical advantages with non-lethal or less-than-lethalprojectiles that can be accurately delivered to a target, impacting thetarget in an area other than the target's face, while at the same timeproviding dispersal of a powdered inhibiting substance to the target'sface, where it is effective.

The present embodiments are both sufficiently safe to be used at closerange and, at the same time, effective at longer ranges, such as 10 feetor more, e.g., 30 or 60 feet or more. Most non-lethal weapons heretoforeknown, however, are either operated at close ranges, for example, pepperspray canisters, or operated at long ranges, for example, rubber bulletdevices, but do not operate at both close and long ranges. Inparticular, the close range weapons are generally not deployed withsufficient force to travel further than a few meters, and the longerrange weapons generally are not “muzzle safe” in that they cannot besafely deployed at very short distances because of thechemical/explosive nature of the launching mechanism. As a result, lawenforcement and military personnel are often required to employ twodifferent technologies, one for close range applications, and anotherfor long range applications.

In being able to use a single device for both applications the presentembodiments provide numerous advantages. For example, cost is asignificant factor recognized universally by governmental agencies, butperhaps even more importantly is a tactical disadvantage imposed by theuse of both short range and long range non-lethal or less-than-lethaltechnologies. Many available technologies require that a user make adecision as to whether a particular situation calls for a short rangenon-lethal technology or a long range non-lethal technology. Thisrequires not only spending time to assess a situation in order todetermine whether non-lethal or lethal technology should be employed,but also requires expenditure of more time determining which non-lethaltechnology is appropriate, that is whether the situation calls forshort-range technology or long-range technology. As a result, non-lethaland less-than-lethal projectiles are rarely used by law enforcement andmilitary personnel, and, when used, are generally used only insituations where sufficient time exists for the user to make the chainof decisions necessary to first select non-lethal technology and second,to select what range of non-lethal technology is appropriate.

Cost becomes an important consideration in these tactical issues aswell. Because two types of non-lethal technology must, using previoustechnologies, be available, many, if not most, law enforcement andmilitary agencies cannot afford to fully equip their personnel. Thiscost constraint is further exacerbated because heretofore availablenon-lethal technologies, at least the ones that are effective, and thusactually useable, are complicated and highly specialized and mostnon-lethal devices do not offer a low-cost inert training version.Training is costly and therefore, use is infrequent. As a result, theactual costs of previous devices are still prohibitive and thereforeindicate only limited deployment.

The present embodiments provide a cost effective and highly versatileapparatus and method for dispersing inhibiting substances. Further, thepresent embodiments allow for accurate and rapid dispersement. Stillfurther, the present embodiments allow the projectiles to be directed atobjects other than the target while still achieving sufficientdispersement of the inhibiting substance to affect the intended target.Additionally, because the present embodiments can be used at both closeand long range, only a single device is needed. This significantlyreduces cost for both equipment as well as training.

The present embodiments provide muzzle safe projectiles and/or systemsthat provide optimum dispersal of the substances contained therein.Further, projectile and/or systems can be readily incorporated intoexisting officer training programs, so that officers can be quickly,cost effectively, and easily trained in the use of the projectilesand/or system, which, in turn would be of particular advantage to theofficer when attempting to use the system under stressful situations, aswould normally be the case. Additionally, the present projectiles impacta living target in such a way as to actually facilitate theeffectiveness of the system.

Further, some of the present embodiments allow projectile systems to beutilized with conventional launching devices and/or firearms. Theprojectile systems can be activated through conventional activationmechanisms (e.g., a hammer can strike a primer activator) to launch theprojectile at velocities that are lower than conventional firearmprojectiles. For example, a conventional firearm can activate a primerwithin a projectile system generating a chemical explosion providing apropulsion force that is directed at the projectile. The use of theprimer allows the present embodiments to generate a force that is smallenough to launch the projectile at velocities that are relatively lowcompared with conventional firearm projectiles. Therefore, someembodiments provide for primer launched projectiles that launch aprojectile within a predefined velocity range, such as a range between700 and 25 mph, or between 400 and 50 mph and other similar velocityranges. These reduced velocities help to ensure that the projectile istraveling at non-lethal velocities to further limit injuries to targets.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

1. A system for delivering an inhibiting substance to a target,comprising: a projectile having a hollow portion; an inhibitingsubstance contained within the hollow portion of the projectile; andmeans for propelling the projectile toward a target, wherein theprojectile radially disperses the inhibiting substance into a cloud uponan impact of the projectile.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the meansfor propelling comprises a primer that at least initiates a launching ofthe projectile toward the target upon ignition of the primer.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the means for propelling comprises less than5 grams of gunpowder.
 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising: apropulsion shock damper positioned within the shell, wherein theprojectile is positioned within the shell adjacent the propulsion shockdamper such that at least a portion of the propulsion shock damper ispositioned between the projectile and the primer; and the primer ispositioned within the shell such that when ignited the primer propelsthe propulsion shock damper such that the projectile is forced from theshell by the propulsion shock damper.
 5. The system of claim 4, whereinthe propulsion shock damper comprises first and second surfaces, wherethe first surface has a shape that at least partially corresponds withat least a portion of an exterior surface of the projectile todistribute a propulsion force across the at least the portion of theexterior surface of the projectile, and the second surface taperstowards a central axis of the propulsion shock damper.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the means for propelling comprises only one or moreprimers and does not include gunpowder.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the inhibiting substance comprises at least one of Nonivamide,PAVA, OC, CN, CS, and a maloderant.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe inhibiting substance comprises at least one of a sleep agent, aninsecticide, and a herbicide.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein themeans for propelling comprises compressed gas.
 10. The system of claim1, further comprising: a shell, wherein the projectile is positionedwithin the shell and the compressed gas is released into at least aportion of the shell to propel the projectile from the shell; and apropulsion shock damper positioned within the shell between theprojectile and the compressed gas such that the compressed gas propelsthe propulsion shock damper to drive the projectile from the shell. 11.The system of claim 1, further comprising a shell, wherein theprojectile is positioned within the shell and the compressed gas isreleased into at least a portion of the shell to propel the projectilefrom the shell; a gas capsule containing the compresses gas; a puncturepin secured within the shell proximate a first end of the gas capsule;and a primer positioned proximate a second end of the gas capsule, wherethe primer upon ignition forces the gas capsule towards the puncture pinsuch that the gas capsule releases at least a portion of the compressedgas.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises: afirst part and a second part; the first part having a plurality ofstabilizing fins secured with an exterior of the first part; the hollowportion being defined within the second part; and an extending portioncoupled with the first part and the second part, wherein the extendingportion extends such that the first part is extended away from thesecond part increasing a length of the projectile.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a shell that houses the projectile and themeans for propelling, where the means for propelling comprises a primerthat generates a propulsion force when the primer is ignited causing theprojectile to be propelled from the shell; and an electric igniterpositioned proximate the primer such that the electric igniterelectrically ignites the primer.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theprojectile comprises: a first part having the hollow portion containingthe inhibiting substance; a body comprising a propulsion cavity formedwithin the body that releases compressed gas once the projectile islaunched.
 15. A method for delivering an inhibiting substance at atarget, comprising: propelling a plurality of projectiles, wherein theprojectiles include a hollow volume containing an inhibiting substance;and controlling a velocity of the plurality of projectiles so that eachof the plurality of projectiles have a velocity between 50 and 500 mph.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling the velocitycomprises propelling each of the plurality of projectiles at thevelocity where a difference between the velocity of a first of theplurality of projectiles and a second of the plurality of projectiles isless than 20 mph.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the controllingthe velocity further comprises igniting a first primer and launching afirst of the plurality of projectiles, igniting a second primer andlaunching a second of the plurality of projectiles, wherein acomposition of the first primer is substantially the same as acomposition of the second primer, and an amount of the first primer issubstantially equal to an amount of the second primer.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: establishing an elevated pressure;distributing a propulsion force across a portion of a first projectileof the plurality of projectiles so as to prevent breaking of the firstprojectile.
 19. A method for delivering an inhibiting substance to atarget, the method comprising: activating a propellant; directing apropulsion force from the activated propellant onto a first non-lethalprojectile; and launching the first projectile at a velocity that iswithin an non-lethal velocity range.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe non-lethal velocity range comprises a velocity range between 400 and50 mph.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprises: launching asecond non-lethal projectile at a velocity that is within 20 mph of thevelocity of the first projectile.
 22. The method of claim 19, whereinthe launching the first projectile further comprises: controlling thevelocity of the first projectile such that the first projectile does notexceed 400 miles per hour; impacting a target with the first projectile,such that the first projectile ruptures; radially dispersing thesubstance from the first projectile on and about the target; andcontacting the target with the dispersing substance, such that thetarget is inhibited thereby.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein thecontrolling the velocity of the first projectile comprises: igniting aprimer within a hull, wherein a propulsion shock damper and the firstprojectile are place within the hull and wherein the propulsion shockdamper is positioned between the primer and the first projectile;establishing a seal between the propulsion shock damper and the hull;establishing an elevated pressure within the hull proximate thepropulsion shock damper; and distributing a propulsion force applied bya portion of the propulsion shock damper across a portion of the fistprojectile.
 24. The method pf claim 23, further comprising:concentrating the propulsion force along a central axis of a bore of thehull.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the controlling the velocityof the first projectile comprises: igniting a primer causing a releaseof a compressed gas, where the compressed gas at least partiallyextinguishes the ignited primer; generating a pressure through thepressure from the ignited primer and the released compressed gas; andthe propelling the projectile at the target comprises propelling theprojectile with the generated pressure.
 26. A system for delivering anon-lethal projectile to a target, comprising: a cartridge; a projectilelocated within the cartridge where the projectile contains an inhibitingsubstance; a first primer positioned within the cartridge, wherein thefirst primer initiates launching of the projectile upon igniting thefirst primer causing the inhibiting substance to be dispersed uponimpact.
 27. The system for delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim26, further comprising: a gas capsule containing compressed gas locatedwithin the cartridge; a puncture pin located within the cartridge andaligned with the gas capsule; and upon igniting the first primer the gascapsule is propelled into the puncture pin causing a release of thecompressed gas that provides at least some of a propulsion forcelaunching the projectile.
 28. The system for delivering the non-lethalprojectile of claim 27 further comprising a diaphragm within thecartridge positioned between the gas capsule and the first projectile.29. The system for delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim 27further comprising a orifice plate within the positioned between the gascapsule and the first projectile.
 30. The system for delivering thenon-lethal projectile of claim 26, wherein the released compressed gasat least partially extinguishes the ignited first primer.
 31. The systemfor delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim 26, wherein the firstprimer is configured to generate a propulsion force when the firstprimer is ignited causing the projectile to be propelled from thecartridge, wherein the propulsion force from the first primer isprimarily used to propel the projectile from the cartridge.
 32. Thesystem for delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim 26, furthercomprising: a second primer; and a circuit board secured with thecartridge having a first primer contact aligned with the first primer toelectrically ignite the first primer and a second ignition contactaligned with the second primer to electrically ignite the second primer.33. The system for delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim 26,further comprising: a burning chamber within the cartridge proximate thefirst primer; an expansion chamber; and a tube positioned having firstand second ends with the first end positioned within the burning chamberand the second end positioned within the expansion chamber.
 34. Thesystem for delivering the non-lethal projectile of claim 26, furthercomprising: means for suppresses a flame front of the ignited firstprimer so that the system is not a firearm.